VocabDictionary

crook

/krสŠk/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A person who is dishonest or a criminal.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe politician was eventually exposed as a common crook who had been embezzling funds.โ€
  • โ€œHe spent his life trying to stay one step ahead of every crook in the city.โ€
2.noun

A bend or curve, especially in something like a river, a road, or a person's arm.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œShe held the baby securely in the crook of her arm.โ€
  • โ€œThe house is situated right at the crook of the river.โ€
3.verb

To bend or curve something, especially a finger or limb.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe crooked his finger to beckon her closer.โ€
  • โ€œShe crooked her elbow to hook it through his arm.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œcrookโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse 'krรณkr', meaning a hook or a bend. It originally referred to a shepherd's staff with a hooked end. By the 16th century, the term evolved metaphorically to describe a person who is 'bent' or dishonest, leading to its modern usage as a synonym for a criminal.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a shepherd's 'crook' (the hooked staff) used to pull sheep back; a 'crook' (criminal) is someone who has 'bent' the law.

Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œcrookโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œcrookโ€ in English?

In English, crook (noun) is defined as: โ€œA person who is dishonest or a criminal.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œcrookโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe politician was eventually exposed as a common crook who had been embezzling funds.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œcrookโ€?

Common synonyms include:criminal,swindler,bend,curve

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œcrookโ€?

Derived from the Old Norse 'krรณkr', meaning a hook or a bend. It originally referred to a shepherd's staff with a hooked end. By the 16th century, the term evolved metaphorically to describe a person who is 'bent' or dishonest, leading to its modern usage as a synonym for a criminal.