crook

¹

[krook]

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.

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

[krook]

adjective

Australian.

1. sick or feeble.

2. ill-humored; angry.

3. out of order; functioning improperly.

4. unsatisfactory; disappointing.

Crook

³

[krook]

noun

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

crook

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of crook¹

C12: from Old Norse krokr hook; related to Swedish krok, Danish krog hook, Old High German krācho hooked tool

Idioms and Phrases

• by hook or crook

Example Sentences

Really loving someone means appreciating their idiosyncrasies, like “their little 11 line or a little crooked tooth — these little imperfections that become so beautiful to you.”

From Los Angeles Times

That holds regardless of how crooked a show’s megachurch culture is depicted to be because its true purpose is rarely explored.

From Salon

He was deep and surprisingly tall, though crooked and bald, and his robes hung long.

From Los Angeles Times

“Catastrophe” felt more like the first decade of my marriage, which was very confusing, trying by hook or crook to shed bad habits that I had.

From Los Angeles Times

As well has his colourful remarks to me on the phone during our recent interview, the US President has variously called judges "crooked", "monsters", "deranged", "lunatics", "USA hating", and "radical left".

From BBC

Related Words

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