crook1 nouncrook2 verb
crookcrook1 /krʊk/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
Word OriginWORD ORIGINcrook1
ExamplesOrigin:
1100-1200 Old Norse krokr ‘hook’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- a petty crook
- Collins called the governor a crook and said he should be removed from office.
- I wouldn't do business with him - he's a crook.
- Louisiana voters were faced with the choice of voting for a crook or a racist.
- People have accused me of being a crook, but I didn't take any money that wasn't mine.
- This type of cougar has a distinctive crook in its tail.
- A crook if I ever saw one.
- A real crook, but a fascinating article.
- Carey stood up, the fish held in the crook of his arm, as you would hold an infant.
- Five crooks, one detective and a drug deal gone sour.
- Glover felt hung up in the crook of a tree.
- Indeed, most of the old crooks have been allowed to contest the election.
THESAURUS► criminal
Collocations someone who is involved in illegal activities or has been proved guilty of a crime. Criminal is used especially about someone who often does things that are illegal: · Criminals are stealing people's credit card details off the Internet.· He is one of the most wanted criminals in the United States.
► offender someone who breaks the law: · The courts should impose tougher punishments on offenders.· a special prison for young offenders
► crook informal a dishonest person, especially one who steals money and who you cannot trust: · Some politicians are crooks, but not all of them.· They're just a bunch of crooks.
► felon law especially American English someone who has committed a serious crime: · Convicted felons should not be allowed to profit from their crimes.
► the culprit the person who has done something wrong or illegal: · The culprits were never found.· If I ever catch the culprit, he or she is in big trouble.· The culprits were just six years old.
► delinquent a young person who behaves badly and is likely to commit crimes – used especially in the phrase juvenile delinquent: · He later worked with juvenile delinquents in a Florida youth services program.
► accomplice someone who helps a criminal to do something illegal: · Police believe the murderer must have had an accomplice.
Longman Language Activatordishonest► dishonest someone who is dishonest tells lies or tries to trick people or steal things: · A few dishonest dealers give the used car trade a bad name.· a dishonest politician· People on welfare are often wrongly characterized as lazy or dishonest.it is dishonest of somebody to do something: · It was dishonest of him to suggest that he actually had a degree from Oxford - he was just there for one term.
► corrupt a corrupt politician, official, or police officer uses their power in a dishonest way for their own advantage, for example by accepting money from people in return for helping them: · In the 1970s, the city's police force was among the most corrupt in the nation.· Corrupt customs officials have helped the drug trade to flourish.· Perez said that there were virtually no procedures in place to weed out corrupt officials.
► crooked someone who is crooked is involved in illegal or dishonest business activities: · A crooked civil servant sold hundreds of British passports on the black market, a court heard yesterday. crooked (business) deal: · The land was obtained in a crooked business deal between politicians and an Arizona savings and loans association.
► crook someone who is involved in dishonest and usually criminal activities, especially someone who gets money by cheating people: · Collins called the governor a crook and said he should be removed from office.
► bent British spoken use this about someone in an official position, who uses their power illegally or dishonestly: · Half the inspectors here are bent.· A few bent coppers can give the whole police force a bad name.
► unscrupulous someone who is unscrupulous uses dishonest and unfair methods to get what they want, and does not care if they harm other people: · Isn't it time we did something to protect the elderly from unscrupulous business people?· Morgan admitted that some of his actions may have been unscrupulous, but he denied doing anything illegal.
someone who tricks other people► con man/con artist/scam artist someone who tries to get money from people by tricking them: · A pair of con men have been tricking older people in the community out of their life savings.· Don't be fooled by con artists who promise enormous returns on your investment with no risk.· Petty scam artists victimize tourists on the streets.
► crook informal a dishonest person who steals things or tricks people: · I wouldn't do business with him - he's a crook.· People have accused me of being a crook, but I didn't take any money that wasn't mine.
► charlatan someone who pretends to have special skills and abilities and tricks people into believing them: · Some psychic charlatan convinced her she was going to die in six months.· Charlatans advertise a variety of fat-reducing treatments in the back of magazines.
► quack informal a dishonest person who pretends to be a doctor who can cure diseases: · Larry paid some quack over a thousand dollars to cure his insomnia.· That quack doesn't know anything about treating heart disease.
► shyster American informal a dishonest person, especially a lawyer: · Their lawyer is a shyster who would do anything to win a case.· Once the shysters get involved, you can be sure we'll end up in court.
► snake-oil salesman/peddler American someone who deceives people by persuading them to accept false information, solutions etc that are not effective: · Critics have called the Senator a smooth-talking snake-oil peddler.· Latenight TV is full of snake-oil salesmen offering get-rich-quick schemes.
WORD SETS► Crimeabet, verbaccusation, nounaccuse, verbaffray, nounarson, nounassault, nounassault and battery, nounbackhander, nounbattery, nounbigamy, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounbreak-in, nounbreaking and entering, nouncaper, nouncapital, adjectivecarjacking, nouncat burglar, nouncontract, nouncosh, nouncounterfeit, adjectivecounterfeit, verbcover, nouncrack, verbcriminal, adjectivecriminal, nouncriminal law, nouncriminal record, nouncriminology, nouncrook, nounculpable, adjectiveculprit, noundefamation, noundefraud, verbdelinquency, noundelinquent, adjectivedelinquent, noundesperado, noundisorderly, adjectivedrug baron, noundrug runner, nounDUI, nounembezzle, verbexpropriate, verbextort, verbeyewitness, nounfelon, nounfelony, nounfence, nounfiddle, nounfiddle, verbfiddler, nounfilch, verbfinger, verbfire-raising, nounfirst offender, nounflash, verbflasher, nounforge, verbforger, nounforgery, nounfoul play, nounframe, verbframe-up, nounfratricide, nounfraud, nounfreebooter, noungang, noungang-bang, noungang rape, noungangster, nounGBH, noungenocide, noungetaway, noungodfather, noungrand larceny, noungrass, noungrievous bodily harm, nounheist, nounhijack, verbhijack, nounhijacking, nounhit, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehit man, nounincriminate, verbindecent assault, nounindecent exposure, nouninfanticide, nounjob, nounjoyriding, nounjuvenile delinquent, nounkidnap, verblarceny, nounlibel, nounlibel, verblibellous, adjectivelow life, nounmafioso, nounmalpractice, nounmanslaughter, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatricide, nounmisappropriate, verbmisconduct, nounmisdeed, nounmisdemeanour, nounmobster, nounmoll, nounmug, verbmugshot, nounmurder, nounmurder, verbmurderer, nounmurderess, nounmuscleman, nounnark, nounnefarious, adjectiveneighbourhood watch, nounnick, verbno-go area, nounoffence, nounoffend, verboffender, nounold lag, nounorganized crime, nounoutlaw, nounparricide, nounpatricide, nounpetty larceny, nounPhotofit, nounpiracy, nounplant, verbpoach, verbpoacher, nounpossession, nounprivateer, nounprotection, nounprowl, verbprowler, nounpublic nuisance, nounpull, verbpunk, nounpurloin, verbraid, nounram-raiding, nounrape, verbrape, nounrapist, nounravish, verbreceiver, nounreceiving, nounrecidivist, nounregicide, nounring, nounringleader, nounriotous, adjectiverob, verbrobber, nounrobbery, nounroll, verbrustler, nounscheme, nounscheme, verbshady, adjectiveshoplift, verbshoplifting, nounslander, nounsmuggle, verbsnout, nounspeeding, nounstabbing, nounstalking, nounstatutory offence, nounstatutory rape, nounsteal, verbstoolpigeon, nounsupergrass, nounsuspect, nounswag, nountheft, nounthief, nounthievish, adjectivetorch, verbtraffic, nountrafficker, nountriad, noununder-the-counter, adjectiveunderworld, nounundesirable, nounvagrancy, nounvandal, nounvandalism, nounvandalize, verbvice, nounvigilante, nounvillainy, nounviolate, verbviolation, nounwanted, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► crooked tooth
Phrases· He grinned at me, showing rotten, crooked teeth.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the crook of your armPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► by hook or by crook► small-time crook/gangster etc
1informal a dishonest person or a criminal: - He carried his jacket in the crook of his arm.
- Carey stood up, the fish held in the crook of his arm, as you would hold an infant.
- His ripped jacket was draped over the crook of his arm.
- Mortified, she turned her face and hid it in the crook of her arm.
- One of them was cradling a sub-machine-gun in the crook of his arm.
- Thérèse clasped the biscuit tin in the crook of her arm.
- The army ride round in jeeps, rifles in the crooks of their arms.
- When he returned, he was carrying four good-sized rocks in the crook of his arm.
- With a big sign she lay her head in the crook of his arm and closed her eyes.
- The police are going to get these guys, by hook or by crook.
- If she set her mind on something, then she had to acquire it, by hook or by crook.
- The crows meanwhile have taken on another persona of small-time crooks.
The crooks got away across the park.2a long stick with a curved end, used by people who look after sheep3the crook of your arm the part of your arm where it bendscrook1 nouncrook2 verb
crookcrook2 verb [transitive] Verb TableVERB TABLE
crook
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | crook |
| he, she, it | crooks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | crooked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have crooked |
| he, she, it | has crooked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had crooked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will crook |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have crooked |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
word sets- Mrs. Garner crooked her finger at me, motioning for me to come over.
- Omi crooked a finger for the waitress who offered the bill with subtle deference, and Omi paid it with subtle superiority.
- She crooked her elbow, but the baby's head didn't seem to fit comfortably into it.
WORD SETS► Human
CollocationsAB, nounabdomen, nounaccommodation, nounAchilles tendon, nounAdam's apple, nounadaptation, nounadenoids, nounadrenalin, nounairway, nounambidextrous, adjectiveanatomical, adjectiveankle, nounantibody, nounantigen, nounanus, nounanvil, nounaorta, nounappendix, nounarch, nounarmpit, nounarterial, adjectiveartery, nounatrium, nounbaby tooth, nounback, nounbackbone, nounbandy, adjectivebarrel-chested, adjectivebeat, verbbelly, nounbelly button, nounbicep, nounbig toe, nounbikini line, nounbile, nounbiological clock, nounbiorhythms, nounbiped, nounbladder, nounblind spot, nounblink, verbblink, nounblood count, nounblood group, nounblood pressure, nounbloodstream, nounblood type, nounblood vessel, nounBO, nounbody clock, nounbody odour, nounbone, nounbone marrow, nounbowel, nounbow legs, nounbrain, nounbrainwave, nounbreast, nounbreastbone, nounbristly, adjectivebronchial, adjectivebronchial tube, nounbrow, nounbuck teeth, nounbullnecked, adjectiveburp, verbbust, nounbuttock, nouncanine, nouncapillary, nouncardiac, adjectivecardio-, prefixcardiovascular, adjectivecarotid artery, nouncartilage, nouncentral nervous system, nouncerebellum, nouncerebral, adjectivecervical, adjectivecervix, nounchamber, nounchange of life, nouncheek, nouncheekbone, nounchest, nounchin, nouncirculation, nounclavicle, nouncleavage, nounclitoris, nounclose-set, adjectivecoccyx, nouncochlea, nouncock, nouncollarbone, nouncolon, nouncolour, nouncolour-blind, adjectiveconception, nouncone, nounconnective tissue, nouncoordination, nouncornea, nouncortex, nouncough, verbcough, nouncowlick, nouncranium, nouncrook, verbcrotch, nouncrow's feet, nouncrutch, nouncry, verbcuticle, noundandruff, noundeep-set, adjectivedefecate, verbdefence mechanism, noundental, adjectivedentine, nounderrière, noundiaphragm, noundigit, noundigital, adjectivedimple, noundisc, noundominant, adjectivedouble-jointed, adjectivedribble, verbdrool, verbduct, nounduodenum, nounear, nouneardrum, nounearhole, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbelbow, nounenamel, nounendocrine, adjectiveentrails, nounepidermis, nounepiglottis, nounerect, adjectiveerection, nounerogenous zone, nounexcrement, nounexcreta, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexpectorate, verbextremity, nouneye, nouneyebrow, nouneyelash, nouneyelid, nouneyesight, nouneye tooth, nounface, nounfallopian tube, nounfart, verbfart, nounfemur, nounfibre, nounfibula, nounfigure, nounfingernail, nounfingertip, nounfist, nounfive o'clock shadow, nounflat-chested, adjectivefoetal position, nounfolic acid, nounfollicle, nounforearm, nounforefinger, nounforehead, nounforeskin, nounframe, nounfunny bone, noungall bladder, noungallstone, noungastric, adjectivegenital, adjectivegenitals, noungland, nounglottis, noungonad, noungrey matter, noungroin, nounG-spot, noungullet, noungum, nounhair, nounhairless, adjectivehairy, adjectivehammer, nounhamstring, nounhand, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandlebar moustache, nounhead, nounheart, nounheel, nounhiccup, nounhiccup, verbhip, nounHomo sapiens, nounhumerus, nounhymen, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nouninbred, adjectiveincisor, nounindex finger, nouninherit, verbinstep, nounintestine, nounin vitro fertilization, nouniris, nounIVF, nounjaw, nounjawbone, nounjowl, nounkidney, nounknee, nounknee cap, nounknuckle, nounlap, nounlarge intestine, nounlarynx, nounlash, nounlaugh lines, nounlaughter lines, nounleft-handed, adjectivelefty, nounlens, nounlid, nounlifeblood, nounligament, nounlip, nounlittle finger, nounliver, nounlobe, nounlong-sighted, adjectivelumbar, adjectivelung, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmammary, adjectivemammary gland, nounmanual, adjectivemarrow, nounmasticate, verbmatrix, nounmelanin, nounmelatonin, nounmember, nounmenopause, nounmenses, nounmenstrual, adjectivemenstrual period, nounmenstruate, verbmiddle ear, nounmiddle finger, nounmidget, nounmidriff, nounmilk tooth, nounmind, nounmolar, nounmucous membrane, nounmuscle, nounnail, nounnape, nounnasal, adjectivenavel, nounnervous, adjectiveneurology, nounneuron, nounniacin, nounnipple, nounnode, nounnodule, nounnostril, nounocular, adjectiveoesophagus, nounoral, adjectiveovary, nounoverbite, nounoviduct, nounpalate, nounpalm, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpancreas, nounpassage, nounpatella, nounpectorals, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenetrate, verbpepsin, nounperiod, nounperiod pain, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphallus, nounpharynx, nounphlegm, nounphysical, adjectivephysiognomy, nounphysiology, nounphysique, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepit, nounpituitary, nounplacenta, nounplasma, nounplatelet, nounpore, nounpotbelly, nounpremenstrual, adjectiveprepubescent, adjectivepressure point, nounprimal, adjectiveprivate parts, nounprognathous, adjectiveprostate, nounpuberty, nounpubescent, adjectivepubic, adjectivepudendum, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulse, nounpupil, nounquad, nounquadruplet, nounquin, nounquintuplet, nounradius, nounreceptor, nounrecessive, adjectiverectal, adjectiverectum, nounred blood cell, nounREM sleep, nounrenal, adjectiveretina, nounRhesus factor, nounRH factor, nounrib, nounrib cage, nounright, adjectiveright-handed, adjectiveright-hander, nounrigor mortis, nounring finger, nounrod, nounRoman nose, nounround-shouldered, adjectiverun, verbsalivary gland, nounsallow, adjectivescalp, nounscaly, adjectivescapula, nounsciatic, adjectivescrotum, nounsemen, nounseminal, adjectivesense, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectivesextuplet, nounshank, nounshin, nounshinbone, nounshoulder, nounshoulder blade, nounside, nounsinew, nounsinus, nounskeletal, adjectiveskull, nounsleep, verbsleep, nounsmall intestine, nounsneeze, verbsneeze, nounsnub nose, nounsnub-nosed, adjectivesoft palate, nounsolar plexus, nounsole, nounsphincter, nounspinal, adjectivespinal column, nounspine, nounspit, verbspit, nounspittle, nounspleen, nounspotty, adjectivesputum, nounsternum, nounsteroid, nounstirrup, nounstomach, nounstool, nounstubble, nounsubcutaneous, adjectivesuck, verbsuckle, verbsuckling, nounsweat gland, nounsystem, nountailbone, nountan, verbtan, nountanned, adjectivetarsus, nountartar, nountaste bud, nountear, nounteardrop, nounteat, nountemple, nountendon, nountestes, nountesticle, nountestis, nountestosterone, nounthickset, adjectivethigh, nounthorax, nounthroat, nounthumb, nounthumbnail, nounthyroid, nountibia, nounticklish, adjectivetoe, nountoenail, nountongue, nountonsil, nountooth, nountorso, nountouch, nountrachea, nountriceps, nountrunk, nountympanum, nounulna, nounumbilical cord, nounurethra, nounuterus, nounuvula, nounvagina, nounvascular, adjectivevein, nounvenous, adjectiveventricle, nounvessel, nounvestibule, nounvital, adjectivevocal cords, nounvoice box, nounvulva, nounwaist, nounwall-eyed, adjectivewax, nounwhite, nounwhite blood cell, nounwindpipe, nounwisdom tooth, nounwomb, nounwrinkle, verbwrist, nounyawn, verbyawn, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► crooked tooth
Phrases· He grinned at me, showing rotten, crooked teeth.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► by hook or by crook► small-time crook/gangster etc
if you crook your finger or your arm, you bend it- The police are going to get these guys, by hook or by crook.
- If she set her mind on something, then she had to acquire it, by hook or by crook.
- The crows meanwhile have taken on another persona of small-time crooks.