noun
Uncommon
crook
kruuk
Crook (noun) means a dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler. Example: “The investment scheme turned out to be run by a crook.”
noun
1
A dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.
"The investment scheme turned out to be run by a crook."
"Police finally caught the crook who had been robbing local shops."
2
A hooked staff, such as the one used by shepherds or carried by a bishop.
"The shepherd used his crook to guide the sheep back to the pen."
3
A bend or curve, especially in a part of the body such as the arm.
"She carried the basket in the crook of her arm."
verb
1
To bend something, especially a finger or arm.
"He crooked his finger to beckon her over."
adj
1
Australian/NZ informal: unwell, or of poor quality.
"I've been feeling a bit crook since lunch."
How to use crook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a dishonest criminal, but also a curved shape or hooked staff.
When to use it
The "unwell/bad" sense is informal Australian and New Zealand slang.
Common pairings
a petty crook
crook of the elbow
shepherd's crook
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Word forms
- Plural
- crooks
- Third person singular
- crooks
- Past tense
- crooked
- Comparative
- crooker
- Superlative
- crookest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The investment scheme turned out to be run by a _____.
Etymology
From Old English crōc, meaning "hook" or "bend," related to Germanic and Norse words for a curved shape.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for crook
See all rhymes for 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.
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