crook

¹ American  

[krook] / krʊk /

noun

1. a bent or curved implement, piece, appendage, etc.; hook.

2. the hooked part of anything.

3. an instrument or implement having a bent or curved part, as a shepherd's staff hooked at one end or the crosier of a bishop or abbot.

4. a dishonest person, especially a sharper, swindler, or thief.

5. a bend, turn, or curve.

   a crook in the road.

6. the act of crooking or bending.

7. a pothook.

8. Also called shank.  a device on some musical wind instruments for changing the pitch, consisting of a piece of tubing inserted into the main tube.

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verb (used with object)

1. to bend; curve; make a crook in.

   He crooked a finger to get the waitperson's attention.

2. Slang. to steal, cheat, or swindle.

   She crooked a ring from that shop.

verb (used without object)

1. to bend; curve.

   My little toe crooks to the side.

Crook ² American  

[krook] / krʊk /

noun

1. George, 1829–90, U.S. general in Indian wars.

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crook ³ American  

[krook] / krʊk /

adjective

Australian.

1. sick or feeble.

2. ill-humored; angry.

3. out of order; functioning improperly.

4. unsatisfactory; disappointing.

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crook British  

/ krʊk /

noun

1. a curved or hooked thing

2. a staff with a hooked end, such as a bishop's crosier or shepherd's staff

3. a turn or curve; bend

4. informal a dishonest person, esp a swindler or thief

5. the act or an instance of crooking or bending

6. Also called: shank.  a piece of tubing added to a brass instrument in order to obtain a lower harmonic series

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verb

1. to bend or curve or cause to bend or curve

adjective

1. informal

   1. ill

   2. of poor quality

   3. unpleasant; bad

2. informal to lose one's temper

3. informal to rebuke or upbraid

crook Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing crook

• by hook or crook

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Etymology

Origin of crook¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English crok, crouk, from Old Norse krōkr “hook, barb, corner”

Origin of crook¹

First recorded in 1875–80; perhaps alteration of cronk

Example Sentences

It was late, and the store was out of disposable bags, so I tucked some of the loot into my dance bag and cradled the rest in the crook of my arm.

From Salon

In late August, a TikTok featuring an eccentric, over-the-top British man with a black bob and crooked teeth went viral.

From Salon

It being crooked was kind of making me itch.

From Literature

It can’t be counted in the number of crooks brought to justice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 20th-century culture business produced “profound” popular art even though its contracts were exploitative beyond the dreams of neoliberalism and its middlemen were often crooks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• racketeer
• robber
• rogue
• scoundrel
• swindler
• villain