checkered

  • 1Checkered — Check ered (ch[e^]k [ e]rd), a. 1. Marked with alternate squares or checks of different color or material. [1913 Webster] Dancing in the checkered shade. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. Diversified or variegated in a marked manner, as in appearance,… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2checkered — [chek′ərd] adj. 1. having a pattern of squares 2. varied by the use of color and shading 3. marked by diversified features or by varied events, some unpleasant [a checkered career] …

    English World dictionary

  • 3checkered — [adj] patterned checky, diversified, motley, mutable, patchwork, plaid, quilted, spotted, variegated; concept 486 …

    New thesaurus

  • 4checkered — /chek euhrd/, adj. 1. marked by numerous and various shifts or changes; variegated: a checkered career. 2. marked by dubious episodes; suspect in character or quality: a checkered past. 3. marked with squares: a checkered fabric. 4. diversified… …

    Universalium

  • 5checkered — check|ered also chequered BrE [ˈtʃekəd US ərd] adj 1.) having a pattern made up of squares of two different colours ▪ a red and white checkered tablecloth ▪ a checkered marble floor 2.) have a checkered history/career/past etc to have had periods …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 6checkered — check|ered [ tʃekərd ] adjective 1. ) if someone has had a checkered past or a checkered career, they have experienced both successes and failures: He remains a popular figure despite his checkered past. 2. ) with a pattern of squares in two… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 7checkered — also chequered BrE adjective 1 having a pattern made up of squares of two different colours: a checkered tablecloth | checkered tiles in the bathroom 2 have a checkered history/past/career etc to have had periods of failure as well as successful… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8Checkered — Checker Check er (ch[e^]k [ e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Checkered} (ch[e^]k [ e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Checkering}.] [From OF. eschequier a chessboard, F. [ e]chiquier. See {Check}, n., and cf. 3d {Checker}.] 1. To mark with small squares like a… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 9checkered — adjective Date: 1656 marked by alternation or contrast of fortune < the best album of his checkered career Mark Coleman >; especially marked by many problems or failures < trying to prevent discovery of his checkered past > …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10checkered — adjective a) divided into squares, or into light and dark patches. That is a checkered tablecloth. b) changeable; inconsistent; having variations or uncertainty I have a checkered past …

    Wiktionary