raincheck

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A polite way of declining an invitation now while hoping to accept at a later time.

   Grammar: Often used with take or get: I'll take a raincheck.

   Patterns

   • take a raincheck on something
   • give someone a raincheck

   I can't come tonight, but can I take a raincheck?

   She asked for a raincheck on lunch because of a meeting.

   Thanks for the offer, I'll take a raincheck.

2. 2nouncountable

   A ticket or voucher given when an event is cancelled or an item is out of stock, allowing later use.

   Grammar: Used about tickets or sale items: the store gave me a raincheck.

   Patterns

   • get a raincheck for something

   The game was cancelled because of the storm, so everyone got a raincheck.

   The shop ran out of the sale item and offered me a raincheck.

   Keep your raincheck for the rescheduled concert.

Word forms

Common combinations

take a raincheck

Can I take a raincheck on dinner tonight?

give someone a raincheck

The manager gave me a raincheck for the missing item.

ask for a raincheck

He asked for a raincheck on the meeting.

issue a raincheck

The stadium will issue rainchecks if the match is postponed.

Synonyms and how they differ

postponement

Postponement is formal and describes any delay, while raincheck is a casual way to say 'not now, but later'.

rain check

Rain check is the more common spelling and means exactly the same.

voucher

A voucher can be used for any purchase, whereas a raincheck is tied to a specific cancelled event or out-of-stock item.

Word family

rain noun

water falling from clouds

check noun

a ticket or token

rainchecked adjective

informal word for something postponed

Commonly confused: raincheck or reservation?

Practice

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

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