crook
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use crook
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.