noun
crook
kruuk
noun
1
A dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.
"The investment scheme turned out to be run by a crook."
"Police finally caught the crook who had been robbing local shops."
2
A hooked staff, such as the one used by shepherds or carried by a bishop.
"The shepherd used his crook to guide the sheep back to the pen."
3
A bend or curve, especially in a part of the body such as the arm.
"She carried the basket in the crook of her arm."
verb
1
To bend something, especially a finger or arm.
"He crooked his finger to beckon her over."
adj
1
Australian/NZ informal: unwell, or of poor quality.
"I've been feeling a bit crook since lunch."
How to Use Crook
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a dishonest criminal, but also a curved shape or hooked staff.
When to use it
The "unwell/bad" sense is informal Australian and New Zealand slang.
Common pairings
a petty crook
crook of the elbow
shepherd's crook
Word Forms
crooker comparative, crooked past tense, crooks plural, crooks singular, crookest superlative
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Etymology
From Old English crōc, meaning "hook" or "bend," related to Germanic and Norse words for a curved shape.