spell-check

1 of 2

noun

variants or spellcheck or spell check
plural spell-checks or spellchecks or spell checks
: the act or process of using a spellchecker to identify possible misspellings
do/run a quick spell-check
an error found by spell-check
also : the function or capability provided by a spellchecker
a program equipped with spell-check
Have spell-check and instant messaging (oh, the grammar and spelling!) ruined the copy editors of tomorrow? Stephanie A. Weiss
often used before another noun
a spell-check device/program/function

spell-check

2 of 2

verb

spell-checked; spell-checking; spell-checks

transitive verb

: to check the spelling of (something, such a document or block of text) by using a spellchecker
Not only can I put words together at 10 times the speed of using pen and paper, but I can also transfer those words to the digital realm, where they can be edited, spell-checked, e-mailed, quoted, blogged and Googled.Steven Johnson

Examples of spell-check in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
For instance, in recent years, the company replaced the old Find dialog with the Navigation pane and the spell-check dialog with the Proofing pane. PCMAG, 12 Oct. 2024 But the program might finally receive an important basic feature: spell-check. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 Give him a checklist of crucial items to confirm for every project: names, spell-check, living status. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Forms of artificial intelligence, of course, have existed for decades (think spell-check programs or digital thermostats). Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Aug. 2023 Using the technology isn’t the same as using any other tool, like a calculator or spell-check. Rachel Shin, Fortune, 13 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1983, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spell-check was in 1983

Dictionary Entries Near spell-check

Cite this Entry

“Spell-check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spell-check. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spell-check

noun
: the act or process of using a spellchecker to identify possible misspellings
also : the function or capability provided by a spellchecker
spell-check verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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