checkerboard

IPA/ˈtʃekəbɔːd/
KK[tʃˈɛkɚbˌɔrd]IPA/ˈtʃekərbɔːrd/

checkerboard — noun

  • checkerboardsingular
  • checkerboardsplural

1. a flat square board marked with rows of alternating dark and light squares, used

1.nounB1
Definition

a flat square board marked with rows of alternating dark and light squares, used for the game of checkers (draughts) and similar games

Example

Theo set up the red pieces on the checkerboard before their match.

Jun studied the checkerboard, then jumped his red piece over two of Yuki's black ones.

Common collocations
  • on a checkerboard
  • folded checkerboard
  • wooden checkerboard
Synonyms
  • game board

    a broader term for any board used in tabletop games

  • draughtboard

    British English equivalent, used specifically for draughts

Usage Note

This is the most literal sense. A standard checkerboard has 64 squares (8 rows of 8), though sizes can vary for different game variants.

Common Mistakes

We played chess on the checkerboard.
We played checkers on the checkerboard.
A checkerboard is used for checkers (draughts), not chess, even though both boards look similar.

2. a pattern of alternating dark and light squares that looks like the surface of a

2.nounB1
Definition

a pattern of alternating dark and light squares that looks like the surface of a board used for checkers

Example

The kitchen floor tiles formed a black-and-white checkerboard pattern.

collocation: checkerboard pattern

Imani chose a scarf with a bold red-and-cream checkerboard design.

Common collocations
  • checkerboard pattern
  • checkerboard design
  • checkerboard motif
Synonyms
  • grid pattern

    more general; a grid does not need alternating colours

  • chequered pattern

    British spelling variant, used for the same alternating-square design

  • tartan

    a similar criss-cross pattern but specifically associated with woven fabric

3. a situation or area where parts that are very different from each other sit side

3.nounC1
Definition

a situation or area where parts that are very different from each other sit side by side, just as dark and light squares do on a checkerboard

Example

After the rezoning, the city became a checkerboard of wealthy high-rises and neglected housing blocks.

Raj surveyed the committee and saw a checkerboard of reform-minded members seated beside old-guard traditionalists.

Common collocations
  • a checkerboard of
Synonyms
  • patchwork

    emphasises being assembled from different pieces; less focus on contrast

  • mosaic

    suggests many small, varied pieces forming a whole picture or scene

  • medley

    a mixture, usually of sounds, songs, or flavours rather than physical areas

Antonyms
  • uniform whole

    something with no variation, contrast, or distinct parts

Usage Note

This is a metaphorical extension. It describes anything where strongly contrasting elements sit side by side, recalling the visual contrast of a checkerboard's alternating squares.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A checkerboard is specifically the board used for checkers (draughts). A chessboard looks almost identical — both have 64 alternating coloured squares — but is used for chess. The terms are often confused because the boards are physically interchangeable for casual play, yet the distinction matters in game contexts. A game board is a much broader term covering any flat surface for tabletop games (Monopoly boards, backgammon boards, etc.). A draughtboard is the British English equivalent of checkerboard, used in regions where the game is called draughts rather than checkers.

chessboard ↗game boarddraughtboard ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • like a checkerboard

Prepositions

  • on a checkerboard

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from 'checker' (referring to the game of checkers, which traces back through Middle English 'cheker' to Old French 'eschequier', meaning chessboard) and 'board' (from Old English 'bord', a plank or flat surface). The game-board meaning appeared in the 18th century. The pattern sense followed soon after, as the alternating squares became a recognisable visual motif. The metaphorical sense — describing any patchwork of contrasting elements — is a later extension.