Phrase guide

blank check

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A signed check of the type used to draw money from a bank account, containing no information as to the amount to be paid with it, so that any amount can be filled in.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

Qualifier: literal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A grant of complete authority to spend an unlimited amount of money, or to take other actions without restraint.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: carte blanche

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a check that has been signed but with the amount payable left blank

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blank cheque

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: check, bank check, cheque

4

noun

Meaning 4

freedom to do as you see fit

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • many have doubts about giving him a free hand to attack

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: free hand

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: freedom

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

29 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: xec en blanc — signed check
  • Chinese Mandarin: 空白支票 (kòngbái zhīpiào) — signed check
  • Danish: blankocheck — signed check
  • Finnish: blankosekki — signed check
  • French: chèque en blanc — signed check
  • Galician: cheque en branco — signed check
  • German: Blankoscheck — signed check
  • Italian: assegno in bianco — signed check
  • Portuguese: cheque em branco — signed check
  • Romanian: cec în alb — signed check
  • Russian: чек на предъяви́теля (ček na predʺjavítelja) — signed check
  • Russian: незапо́лненный чек (nezapólnennyj ček) — signed check
  • Spanish: cheque en blanco — signed check
  • Turkish: açık çek — signed check
  • Bengali: আলিহুকুম (alihukum) — grant of complete authority
  • Danish: blankocheck — grant of complete authority
  • Danish: carte blanche — grant of complete authority
  • Finnish: avoin shekki — grant of complete authority
  • Finnish: avoin valtakirja — grant of complete authority
  • French: chèque en blanc — grant of complete authority
  • French: carte blanche — grant of complete authority
  • Galician: cheque en branco — grant of complete authority
  • German: Blankoscheck — grant of complete authority
  • Italian: carta bianca — grant of complete authority
  • Portuguese: cheque em branco — grant of complete authority
  • Romanian: cec în alb — grant of complete authority
  • Russian: карт-бла́нш (kart-blánš) — grant of complete authority
  • Spanish: cheque en blanco — grant of complete authority
  • Turkish: açık çek — grant of complete authority