Checkout vs. Check Out
“Checkout” is a noun for the act, time, counter, or process of checking out. “Check out” is the verb, used for actions such as leaving a hotel, borrowing an item, paying for purchases, or examining something.
Use “checkout” as the noun and “check out” as the verb.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| place, process, or stage where payment/departure is completed | checkout | use the closed noun |
| inspect, investigate, borrow, or leave/register departure as a verb | check out | use the open phrasal verb |
Quick tests
Part-of-speech test
Is the expression a noun naming a place, stage, or process?
If yes: Use “checkout.”
If no: If it is the verb, use “check out.”
Caveat: Compound styling can vary in names/brands, but ordinary prose should distinguish noun from verb.
Examples
The checkout line was short.
“Checkout” is a noun.
We need to check out by eleven.
“Check out” is a verb.
Please checkout the updated report.
Better: Please check out the updated report.
As a verb, write “check out.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Write the noun as one word and the verb as two words.
Fast Test
If you can say “checked out” or “checking out,” use the two-word verb.
Sense Boundary
“Check out” has several established verb senses; the word-boundary rule follows grammatical role rather than a single meaning.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Checkout — Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Checkout noun and check out verb word-class boundary