checkered

[ chek-erd ]

adjective

1. marked by numerous and various shifts or changes; variegated:

   a checkered career.

   Synonyms: seesaw, irregular, uneven, varied

2. marked by dubious episodes; suspect in character or quality:

   a checkered past.

3. marked with squares:

   a checkered fabric.

4. diversified in color; alternately light and shadowed:

   the checkered shade beneath trees.

Other Words From

• un·checkered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of checkered¹

1350–1400; Middle English. See checker ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

But the history is checkered and the beauty is blemished.

From Los Angeles Times

Folt also cited “of special significance” her efforts to rectify the university’s checkered past on racial justice — offering honorary degrees to 33 Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II who were denied the chance to continue their USC studies, stripping the name of eugenicist Rufus von KleinSmid from a prominent building and renaming it after Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, a Native American leader, and honoring survivors of the Holocaust with a University Medallion.

From Los Angeles Times

Clad in baggy overalls, a white-and-black checkered cardigan and floral-printed Crocs, Williams hangs on that last thought for a moment.

From Los Angeles Times

Her urban polish was a contrast to the stereotypical copper country getup of checkered shirt, western-style belt buckle, bolo tie and Stetson hat.

From Los Angeles Times

A year after he wore a USC jersey while representing the Trojans at Pac-12 media day, Johnson wore a dark blue checkered sport coat, white shirt and black pants while appearing on behalf of the Bruins at Big Ten media day.

From Los Angeles Times