crook
crook Lexical Profile
crook Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who is dishonest or engages in illegal activities, especially theft or fraud.
"The investigative journalist exposed the financial advisor as a crook who had embezzled millions from his clients."
A bent or curved part of something, especially the inner hollow of a person's elbow where the arm bends.
"She carried the sleeping toddler securely in the crook of her arm as she walked up the stairs."
A long wooden staff with a hooked or curved end, traditionally used by shepherds for managing sheep or carried by bishops as a symbol of pastoral office.
"The shepherd used his wooden crook to gently guide the stray lamb back toward the flock."
• verb
To bend or curve something, especially a finger or arm, into a hook-like shape.
"The shopkeeper crooked his finger to beckon the hesitant customer toward the display counter."
• adjective
Australian Physically unwell, injured, or in poor health.
"He stayed home from work today because he was feeling rather crook after the weekend trip."
Australian Unsatisfactory, broken, or of poor quality.
"The old tractor has a crook engine that refuses to start on cold mornings."
• Rhymes for crook
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old Norse 'krókr', meaning a hook or sharp bend. The informal sense referring to a dishonest person or criminal emerged in late 19th-century American English, signifying someone whose conduct is not straight.