checking accounts

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableAmerican

   A bank account that lets you take out money whenever you need it, usually with a debit card or checks, and pay bills.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a checking account' for one, 'checking accounts' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • open a checking account
   • have a checking account
   • a checking account with a bank

   I opened a checking account at the local bank last week.

   She uses her checking account to pay rent and buy groceries.

   Most checking accounts these days come with a debit card.

2. 2nounpluralAmerican

   The category of bank accounts designed for everyday transactions, as opposed to savings accounts.

   Grammar: Used as a plural noun when referring to the type of account in general.

   Patterns

   • checking accounts vs savings accounts
   • compare checking accounts
   • types of checking accounts

   Banks often offer several checking accounts with different monthly fees.

   When choosing between checking accounts, look at the fees and minimum balance.

   Online checking accounts usually have lower fees than traditional ones.

Word forms

Common combinations

open a checking account

You need to bring ID to open a checking account.

checking account balance

I checked my checking account balance online.

free checking account

This bank offers a free checking account with no monthly fee.

Synonyms and how they differ

current account

The usual British term for the same thing; use it in British English contexts.

transaction account

A more formal or technical term for an account used for frequent transactions.

Opposites

Word family

checking noun

The activity of writing checks or the process of checking something.

account noun

An arrangement with a bank to keep money there.

Commonly confused: checking accounts or savings account?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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