ENGLISH
REFERENCE

checkers

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtʃɛkɝz// UK //tʃˈɛkəz// check·ers

n. a board game for two people where you move round, flat pieces across a pattern of dark and light squares. You win by jumping over and taking all of your opponent's pieces.

n. a strategy board game for two players involving diagonal moves of uniform disc-shaped pieces and mandatory capture by jumping over opponent pieces. Known as 'draughts' in British English.


SIMPLE

We spent the rainy afternoon playing checkers in the living room.

CONTEXTUAL

The two old friends met at the park every morning to play checkers on the stone tables.

COMPLEX

While checkers may appear simpler than chess due to its uniform pieces, the game requires significant foresight to set up double jumps and reach the far edge of the board.

Synonyms
Usage

Treated as a singular noun despite the 's' ending; takes a singular verb ('Checkers is fun').

Pitfall

Checkers are a popular game.Checkers is a popular game.Names of games ending in 's' are uncountable and take a singular verb.

© 2026 English Reference