crook

/krʊk/ (bre, ipa) · /krʊk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkru̇k/ (ame, mw)

crook — noun

  • crooksingular
  • crooksplural

1. someone who lies, steals, or breaks the law in order to gain money or advantages

1.名詞B1
釋義

someone who lies, steals, or breaks the law in order to gain money or advantages for themselves.

例句

The local newspaper exposed the politician as a crook who had taken money from builders.

crook + who-clause to define someone's character

Jude warned his grandmother that the man who fixed her roof was a crook.

同義詞
  • criminal

    broader term for anyone who commits a crime, regardless of how

  • fraudster

    more formal; specifically someone who tricks people out of money

  • swindler

    focuses on cheating people in financial deals, often over time

反義詞

文法句型

a crook

call someone a crook

常見錯誤

That salesman is a crooked' (using adjective form as noun).
That salesman is a crook.
💡'crooked' is an adjective; 'crook' is the noun meaning a dishonest person.

2. the curved space on the inner side of a bent elbow, typically where a baby can b

2.名詞B1
釋義

the curved space on the inner side of a bent elbow, typically where a baby can be held or a bag carried close to the body.

例句

The baby lay quietly in the crook of her mother's arm.

the crook of [possessive] arm

Piotr carried the kitten in the crook of his elbow while he unlocked the door.

同義詞
  • bend of the arm

    less common; describes the same location without the set-phrase feel

文法句型

the crook of [possessive] arm/elbow

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the possessive phrase 'the crook of one's arm/elbow.' It is not used alone (you cannot say 'My crook hurts' to mean your elbow area).

3. a long rod with a hook-shaped top, traditionally used by shepherds to manage she

3.名詞B2
釋義

a long rod with a hook-shaped top, traditionally used by shepherds to manage sheep and by bishops as a ceremonial object.

例句

The old shepherd leaned on his crook while watching the sheep graze on the hillside.

shepherd's crook

In the painting, the bishop holds a golden crook as a religious symbol.

同義詞
  • staff

    broader; any long stick used for walking or support

  • shepherd's staff

    specifies the same object, more transparent in meaning

  • crosier

    formal term for the crook carried by a bishop

文法句型

a crook

carry a crook

用法筆記

Now most commonly encountered in historical, religious, or traditional contexts. Modern shepherds rarely use a traditional crook, but the word survives in ceremonial use and folklore.

4. a place where something bends or curves into a hook-like shape, such as a river,

4.名詞B2
釋義

a place where something bends or curves into a hook-like shape, such as a river, a piece of metal, or a tree branch.

例句

The metal pipe had a crook near the end where it joined the water tank.

a crook in [object]

There was a sharp crook in the tree branch where the wind had twisted it.

同義詞
  • bend

    more common and general; a curve in a road, river, or object

  • curve

    smoother than a crook; implies a rounded arc rather than a sharp angle

  • hook

    specifically a curved piece used to catch or hold things

文法句型

a crook in [something]

the crook of [something]

用法筆記

Less common than bend or curve. Most frequently used in the phrase 'a crook in [something]' or 'the crook of [something].'

crook — adjective

crook — verb