noun
Uncommon
crank
KRANGK
Crank (noun) means a handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism. Example: “He turned the crank to lower the window manually.”
noun
1
A handle or arm turned to operate a machine or mechanism.
"He turned the crank to lower the window manually."
2
A person seen as eccentric, obsessive, or holding strange fringe beliefs.
"The letter was dismissed as the rant of a crank."
adjective
1
Grouchy or irritable (informal, chiefly used as "cranky").
"He gets crank when he skips lunch."
verb
1
To turn using a crank, or to start a machine by turning one.
"He cranked the old engine several times before it caught."
How to use crank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA turning handle on a machine, or an eccentric/irritable person; as a verb, to turn or start something by hand.
Common pairings
crank the handle
crank up the volume
old crank
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Word forms
- Plural
- cranks
- Third person singular
- cranks
- Past tense
- cranked, crunk
- Comparative
- cranker
- Superlative
- crankest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He turned the _____ to lower the window manually.
Etymology
From a Germanic word (via Dutch/Low German krank) originally meaning "bent" or "weak" — the mechanical handle is named for its bent shape.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for crank
See all rhymes for 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.
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