checkerboard
/ˈtʃekəbɔːd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃekərbɔːrd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈche-kər-ˌbȯrd/ (ame, mw)
checkerboard — noun
- checkerboardsingular
- checkerboardsplural
1. a flat square board marked with rows of alternating dark and light squares, used
a flat square board marked with rows of alternating dark and light squares, used for the game of checkers (draughts) and similar games
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.
A dusty checkerboard sat on the shelf beside the chess set.
Amara showed her younger brother how to move pieces diagonally across the checkerboard.
The checkerboard slipped from Kwame's hands and the pieces scattered.
- game board
a broader term for any board used in tabletop games
- draughtboard
British English equivalent, used specifically for draughts
用法筆記
This is the most literal sense. A standard checkerboard has 64 squares (8 rows of 8), though sizes can vary for different game variants.
常見錯誤
2. a pattern of alternating dark and light squares that looks like the surface of a
a pattern of alternating dark and light squares that looks like the surface of a board used for checkers
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.
The flag at the finish line had a checkerboard of black and white squares.
The jockey wore a silk shirt with a red-and-white checkerboard design across the chest.
Elena painted a checkerboard motif across the top of the wooden chest.
- 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
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
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.
The region was a checkerboard of forests, farms, and small towns.
Mei stared at her calendar — the week was a checkerboard of back-to-back client calls and empty afternoon slots.
Grandma's quilt was a checkerboard of faded blue denim and bright floral cotton squares.
- uniform whole
something with no variation, contrast, or distinct parts
用法筆記
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.