check-in

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The process of registering your arrival at a hotel, airport, or event.

   Grammar: Often uncountable for the process (check-in was slow) and countable for the desk or a single act.

   Patterns

   • check-in at a hotel
   • the check-in desk
   • online check-in

   Check-in opens two hours before the flight.

   The hotel check-in was quick and friendly.

   You can do online check-in the day before you travel.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A short talk or message to find out how someone is doing or how work is going.

   Grammar: Informal; often a check-in with someone or a quick check-in.

   Patterns

   • a check-in with someone
   • a quick check-in
   • have a check-in

   She has a weekly check-in with her manager.

   Thanks for the check-in — I'm feeling much better now.

Word forms

Common combinations

the check-in desk

Meet me at the check-in desk at nine.

online check-in

Online check-in saves time at the airport.

check-in time

Check-in time at the hotel is three o'clock.

a quick check-in

Let's have a quick check-in before the meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

registration

Broader and more formal; it covers signing up for anything, not just arriving.

reception

Refers to the desk or area where guests arrive, rather than the process itself.

Opposites

Word family

check in verb

To register your arrival: we checked in at noon.

checkout noun

The process of paying and leaving a hotel, or paying for goods.

Commonly confused: check-in or check out?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “check-in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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