hook
huuk
Hook (noun) means a curved piece of metal or other material used to catch, hold, or hang something. Example: “She hung her coat on the hook by the door.”
noun
1
A curved piece of metal or other material used to catch, hold, or hang something.
"She hung her coat on the hook by the door."
"The fisherman baited his hook and cast the line."
"There is a hook on the back of the bathroom door for towels."
2
A catchy opening line or musical phrase designed to grab attention.
"The song's hook gets stuck in your head for days."
"Her speech began with a funny hook that made everyone laugh."
"A good hook at the start of an advert keeps people watching."
verb
1
To catch, fasten, or connect with or as if with a hook.
"He hooked the trailer to the back of the truck."
"She hooked a huge fish on her first cast."
"Please hook the chain onto the gate so it stays shut."
How to use hook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA curved fastening or catching device — or, more loosely, anything that grabs attention.
Common pairings
fish hook
hook something up
catchy hook
off the hook
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hook.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- hooks
- Third person singular
- hooks
- Past tense
- hooked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She hung her coat on the _____ by the door.
Etymology
From Old English hōc, meaning "angle" or "hook," from an ancient Germanic root for a bent peg or claw.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hook
See all rhymes for hook →Frequently asked questions
What does “hook” mean?
The word “hook” means a curved piece of metal or other material used to catch, hold, or hang something. In plain terms, a curved fastening or catching device — or, more loosely, anything that grabs attention.
How do you pronounce “hook”?
“Hook” is pronounced huuk (/hʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hook” in a sentence?
Here is “hook” used in a sentence: “She hung her coat on the hook by the door.”
What part of speech is “hook”?
Depending on how it is used, “hook” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hook” come from?
The word “hook” comes from Old English. From Old English hōc, meaning "angle" or "hook," from an ancient Germanic root for a bent peg or claw.
Is “hook” a common word?
“Hook” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “hook” have?
“Hook” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a curved piece of metal or other material used to catch, hold, or hang something.
What is a hook in music or writing?
In music and writing, a hook is a catchy opening line or musical phrase designed to grab attention and stick in the mind. Songwriters build choruses around hooks, and journalists use a hook to pull readers into a story.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include hook:
