crank

15 synonyms for crank, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

handle

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

eccentric lever chalk tender

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

oddball cranky irritable Methedrine crackpot deoxyephedrine crosspatch churl tippy zigzag

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism.

“He turned the crank to lower the window manually.”

eccentric oddball handle lever cranky irritable Methedrine crackpot chalk deoxyephedrine crosspatch churl

2. adjective

Grouchy or irritable (informal, chiefly used as "cranky").

“He gets crank when he skips lunch.”

tippy cranky tender

3. verb

To turn using a crank, or to start a machine by turning one.

“He cranked the old engine several times before it caught.”

zigzag

How to use crank

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

crank the handle crank up the volume old crank

Etymology

From a Germanic word (via Dutch/Low German krank) originally meaning "bent" or "weak" — the mechanical handle is named for its bent shape.

Full origin of crank →

Frequently asked questions

What does “crank” mean?

The word “crank” means a handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism. In plain terms, a turning handle on a machine, or an eccentric/irritable person; as a verb, to turn or start something by hand.

How do you pronounce “crank”?

“Crank” is pronounced KRANGK (/ˈkɹeɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “crank” in a sentence?

Here is “crank” used in a sentence: “He turned the crank to lower the window manually.”

What part of speech is “crank”?

Depending on how it is used, “crank” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “crank” come from?

The word “crank” comes from Germanic. From a Germanic word (via Dutch/Low German krank) originally meaning "bent" or "weak" — the mechanical handle is named for its bent shape.

Is “crank” a common word?

“Crank” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “crank” have?

“Crank” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism.

What is the difference between a crank and a cranky person?

A crank (noun) is a person regarded as eccentric or holding strange fringe beliefs, while cranky is the related adjective meaning grouchy or irritable. The two senses are connected historically but describe different things: one is about odd or obsessive views, the other about a bad mood.

What does it mean to crank a machine?

To crank a machine means to turn a handle or arm to operate it, or more broadly to get it started, as in cranking an old engine into life. The verb comes directly from the mechanical noun sense of crank, a handle turned to drive a mechanism.

Is calling someone a crank an insult?

Yes, calling someone a crank is generally dismissive, suggesting their ideas or behaviour are seen as strange, obsessive, or not to be taken seriously. It is typically used to belittle a person's fringe beliefs rather than as a neutral description.

People also searched

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Nearby words

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