crook

9 synonyms for crook, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

turn criminal

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

twist curve bend outlaw

Rare, literary or technical

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

felon malefactor shepherd's crook

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.

“The investment scheme turned out to be run by a crook.”

turn criminal twist curve bend outlaw felon malefactor shepherd's crook

2. verb

To bend something, especially a finger or arm.

“He crooked his finger to beckon her over.”

curve

How to use crook

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a petty crook crook of the elbow shepherd's crook

The "unwell/bad" sense is informal Australian and New Zealand slang.

Etymology

From Old English crōc, meaning "hook" or "bend," related to Germanic and Norse words for a curved shape.

Full origin of crook →

Frequently asked questions

What does “crook” mean?

The word “crook” means a dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler. In plain terms, most commonly a dishonest criminal, but also a curved shape or hooked staff.

How do you pronounce “crook”?

“Crook” is pronounced kruuk (/kɹʊk/ in IPA).

How do you use “crook” in a sentence?

Here is “crook” used in a sentence: “The investment scheme turned out to be run by a crook.”

What part of speech is “crook”?

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

Where does the word “crook” come from?

The word “crook” comes from Old English. From Old English crōc, meaning "hook" or "bend," related to Germanic and Norse words for a curved shape.

Is “crook” a common word?

“Crook” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “crook” have?

“Crook” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.

Related words

crook and nanny

People also searched

turn criminal twist curve bend outlaw malefactor felon

Nearby words

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