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• crook
  crook

  noun

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

  noun

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

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 /

adjective

Australian.

1. sick or feeble.

2. ill-humored; angry.

3. out of order; functioning improperly.

4. unsatisfactory; disappointing.

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Crook ³ American  

[krook] / krʊk /

noun

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

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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 crook²

First recorded in 1875–80; perhaps alteration of cronk

Explanation

A crook is long staff that’s bent at one end, like something you might see a shepherd carrying. A crook can also be a criminal — a person who’s dishonest, or bent, just like the staff. The noun crook entered English in the 13th century as a way to describe the long tool with a hook at one end. It later took on the meaning of “petty criminal.” You can use crook as an informal way to describe someone who is dishonest. A crook is typically involved in minor or nonviolent crimes; you wouldn’t use the word to describe a murderer, for example. A con man or someone committing fraud could be called a crook.

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 • Jan. 1, 2026

The picture, taken by Millie Pilkington, shows the King at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk, holding a shepherd's crook.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2025

Hemlock is a small town located in the crook of the Michigan mitten, between the thumb and the fingers.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

My husband carried him into the room and placed him on the bed next to me as I snuggled his baby brother in the crook of my arm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

I shrugged, and drew a second giraffe with a dramatic, Z-shaped crook to its neck.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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