adj
Uncommon
crooked
KRUU-kihd
Crooked (adj) means Bent or twisted rather than straight. Example: “The old fence posts were crooked and leaning.”
adj
1
Bent or twisted rather than straight.
"The old fence posts were crooked and leaning."
"The picture hung crooked on the wall, so she straightened it."
"The crooked branch of the apple tree bent low over the path."
2
Dishonest or corrupt.
"The journalist exposed a crooked politician taking bribes."
"The used-car dealer had a reputation for crooked deals."
"The crooked builder took people's money and never finished the work."
How to use crooked
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physically bent and not straight, or dishonest and corrupt in behavior.
Common pairings
a crooked smile
crooked politician
crooked line
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more crooked
- Superlative
- most crooked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old fence posts were _____ and leaning.
Etymology
From Middle English croked, the past participle of croken ("to bend"), from the same root as "crook."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for crooked
cooked
smoked
choked
hooked
looked
stoked
spooked
stroked
overcooked
unprovoked
overlooked
overbooked
See all rhymes for crooked →
Frequently asked questions
What does “crooked” mean?
The word “crooked” means bent or twisted rather than straight. In plain terms, either physically bent and not straight, or dishonest and corrupt in behavior.
How do you pronounce “crooked”?
“Crooked” is pronounced KRUU-kihd (/ˈkɹʊkɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “crooked” in a sentence?
Here is “crooked” used in a sentence: “The old fence posts were crooked and leaning.”
What part of speech is “crooked”?
“Crooked” is an adjective.
Where does the word “crooked” come from?
The word “crooked” comes from Middle English. From Middle English croked, the past participle of croken ("to bend"), from the same root as "crook.".
Is “crooked” a common word?
“Crooked” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crooked” have?
“Crooked” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bent or twisted rather than straight.
What is the difference between crooked and bent?
Bent usually describes something that has been forced or shaped out of a straight line, often by pressure or force, while crooked describes an existing state of being twisted, uneven, or not straight, regardless of cause. Crooked can also describe a naturally irregular shape, not just one that has been deformed.
Why is crooked used to describe dishonest people?
Crooked is used figuratively for dishonest or corrupt people or dealings because a crooked path is not straight or direct, and this physical image extends naturally to moral dishonesty. A crooked politician or crooked deal implies deception or corruption rather than physical bending.
Is crooked formal or informal when describing dishonesty?
Crooked is informal to semi-formal when used to mean dishonest or corrupt, commonly appearing in casual speech and journalism rather than in strictly formal or legal writing. More formal alternatives in that context include corrupt or fraudulent.
