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 nestled its beak into the crook of his elbow.

From Literature

Goodness, the crooked stairway is a musical scale of a most unfortunate melody.

From Literature

Still, I like Celia, with her crooked baseball hat and the smile that pops up like a surprise on her face.

From Literature

Hers was always a little crooked, like no matter what was going on, she was amused.

From Literature

In a 1981 address at Smith College, he called the news media “a crooked mirror” through which “white America views itself,” the New York Times reported.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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