rook
Rook (noun) means a large black European bird related to the crow, known for nesting in noisy colonies. Example: “A flock of rooks circled above the bare winter trees.”
How to use rook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the crow-like bird, the castle-shaped chess piece, or (as a verb) to swindle someone.
Don't confuse the chess "rook" (the tower piece) with "rookie" (a beginner) — they're unrelated in meaning despite the similar spelling.
Word forms
rooked past tense, rooked past tense, rooks plural, rooks plural, rooks plural, rooks singular, rooks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A flock of _____ circled above the bare winter trees.
Etymology
The bird sense comes from Old English hrōc, an old imitative word for the bird's harsh call; the "cheat" sense grew from the bird's reputation for thieving, and the chess piece comes from a separate, unrelated word for a fortified tower.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rook
See all rhymes for rook →Frequently asked questions
What does “rook” mean?
The word “rook” means a large black European bird related to the crow, known for nesting in noisy colonies. In plain terms, either the crow-like bird, the castle-shaped chess piece, or (as a verb) to swindle someone.
How do you pronounce “rook”?
“Rook” is pronounced ruuk (/ɹʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “rook” in a sentence?
Here is “rook” used in a sentence: “A flock of rooks circled above the bare winter trees.”
What is another word for “rook”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rook” include castle and fortress.
What part of speech is “rook”?
Depending on how it is used, “rook” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rook” come from?
The word “rook” comes from Old English.
How many meanings does “rook” have?
“Rook” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large black European bird related to the crow, known for nesting in noisy colonies.