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Definition of crooked

crooked

/ˈkrʊk.ɪd/
crook · ed
Adverb:crookedly
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crooked Lexical Profile

crooked Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Bent, twisted, or not in a straight line; out of shape or alignment.

Example

"We walked up a narrow, crooked path that wound through the old forest."

2

Dishonest, corrupt, or illegal in conduct or business dealings.

Example

"The investigation exposed several crooked officials who had been accepting bribes for years."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for crooked
Antonyms
View all antonyms for crooked

Word Nuance & Usage

As an adjective meaning bent or dishonest, 'crooked' is pronounced with two syllables (/ˈkrʊk.ɪd/), whereas the past tense of the verb 'crook' is pronounced with one syllable (/krʊkt/).

• Nearby Words

crony
cronyism
crook
crooked
crookedly
crookedness
crookneck squash

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'croked', derived from Old Norse 'krókr' meaning 'hook' or 'bend'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Crooked. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/crooked
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