WordGarden.iocrook
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈʊk/
US
- /ˈkrʊk/
Meanings
Noun
a dishonest person or criminal
a bend, hook, or curved part of something
a staff with a hooked end, especially a shepherd's staff
Verb
to bend something into a hook or curve
Adjective
ill, injured, or not working well
Beyond the definition
A "crook" isn't always someone wearing a striped shirt and carrying a sack with a dollar sign on it! While it most commonly refers to a dishonest person, especially one who steals—a thief or swindler—the word also has a simpler, physical meaning: a bend or curve. Think of a crook in a river or the crook of your elbow.
It can also be a verb: to crook something is to bend it, often into a hook shape.
The criminal sense of "crook" is relatively recent, appearing in American English in the late 1800s. Before that, it was mostly about physical bends. You might read about a shepherd using a "crook" (a long staff with a hook) to guide sheep, or see an old illustration of a crooked path through the woods. But today, when someone calls another person a "crook," they are usually accusing them of being untrustworthy and likely breaking the law. For example: "The politician was accused of being a crook after the corruption scandal broke."
The word "crook" has a fascinating double life. On one hand, it describes a physical bend or curve—think of the gentle crook in an old walking stick, the crook of a tree branch, or the way a child nestles into the crook of a parent's arm. This meaning comes from Middle English and Old Norse roots and has been part of the language for centuries.
However, "crook" is far more commonly known today as a slang term for a dishonest person, particularly a thief or swindler. The origin of this association is linked to the idea of someone taking a "crooked" path—meaning an unethical or dishonest one—rather than staying on the "straight and narrow." You might hear phrases like "a notorious crook," referring to a well-known criminal, or "He was swindled by a clever crook." The term carries a strong negative connotation and implies deliberate deception for personal gain.
Interestingly, the word can also be used as a verb! To crook something means to bend it into a hook shape. You might see this in literature: "He crooked his finger to beckon her closer," or "She crooked her neck to see around the corner."
So, whether you're describing a physical curve, using a tool to herd sheep, or accusing someone of wrongdoing, "crook" is a versatile word with a rich and layered history—quite literally, a bit bent!
Examples
- 1
Crime
The police finally caught the crook who had been stealing bicycles.
- 2
Dishonest person
If he took your money and never did the work, he's a crook.
- 3
Politics
Voters were tired of seeing the same old crooks in office.
- 4
Body position
She held the baby in the crook of her arm.
- Phrasecrook of your arm
the inside part where your arm bends
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- swindler
- fraudster
- con artist
Contrast
- honest person
- law-abiding citizen
Do not confuse
- crook of the arm
Used with (collocations)
- a bunch of crooks
- small-time crook
Word family
Explore
- corruption
- white-collar crime
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- crooknounverb
Forms
- crookedpast tenseverbnoun
- crookspluralnounverb
- crooking-ing formverbnoun