crook

USAGE SUMMARY

'crook' is a correctly spelled and correctly used word in written English.
It is a noun that generally means a dishonest or unscrupulous person, although it can also mean an animal's curved or hooked body part (think of a Crooked Man). You can use 'crook' when referring to someone who has done something illegal, or when referring to a person engaging in deceitful or dishonest behavior. For example, you might say "The police were quick to apprehend the crook who had been stealing from the local grocery store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when a crook waved a pistol in Leonardo Bonucci's face last October, the Juventus defender punched his assailant twice before chasing him up the street.

The Guardian - Sport

When the boredom becomes too much for her, she rests her schnozzle in the crook of my arm and gazes up at me, big eyes pleading.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By hook or by crook, we finally managed to get the boy to sleep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's a chaise longue with a crowd of teddies resting in its crook.

The Guardian

It was Mr Bossi who sank Mr Berlusconi's short-lived government in 1994, calling him a dictator and a crook.

The Economist

Sure enough, the euro slipped below $1.27 in the year's first trading days, before recovering slightly.In this section Marriages and mergers The ugly-bug ball By hook or by crook The Lo down Damage control Putters aflutter Seeing red The Beltway constraint ReprintsBefore predicting a collapse in the euro's value, however, it is worth remembering a couple of salient facts.

The Economist

CETIN ALTAN, a celebrated Turkish writer, once told a friend that Turkish films "cannot dare portray an imam as a crook or a general as a faggot".

The Economist

By hook, crook and presumably her own design, the media have caught up with her at every stop, where she smiles and giggles and is coy, but invariably finds something newsworthy to say, and by doing so keeps a nation guessing.Unlike many Republican candidates, Mrs Palin can afford this slow dance of the seven veils.

The Economist

Oddly for a self-confessed crook, Mr Raju invested in training.

The Economist

In speeches that swung between English and the local Tagalog, they branded their president a "crook and a thief".

The Economist

Power and money went together.Related items The death of Suharto: Epitaph on a crook and a tyrantJan 31st 2008 Indonesia: The end of the rainbowJul 12th 2007 Asia.view: King of the kleptocratsJul 11th 2007 Out with the old, in with something much less familiarOct 8th 1998The army also formed him in other ways.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crook" to describe someone, ensure you have evidence or a strong basis for your claim, as it is a serious accusation.

Common error

Avoid using "crook" too casually in formal writing. While it can be appropriate in some contexts, consider stronger or more specific terms like "fraudster", "embezzler", or "criminal" for greater precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "crook" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a dishonest person or criminal. It can also function as a verb, meaning to bend, or an adjective, meaning bad or unsatisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "crook" primarily serves as a noun denoting a dishonest individual, but it can also function as a verb meaning to bend or an adjective meaning bad or unsatisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate use across varied contexts, particularly in news and media, where it is frequently employed. While grammatically sound, writers should consider the formality of their setting; more precise and professional terms such as "fraudster" or ""criminal"" may be more appropriate in academic or business contexts. Overall, understanding the nuances of "crook" is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fraudster

Focuses specifically on someone who commits fraud.

swindler

Emphasizes deceit and trickery to obtain money or property.

criminal

A broad term for someone who breaks the law.

felon

Refers to someone who has committed a serious crime.

offender

A general term for someone who commits an offense.

scammer

Focuses on someone who runs scams.

lawbreaker

Highlights the act of violating the law.

transgressor

Emphasizes the violation of a moral or legal boundary.

deceiver

Focuses on the act of misleading or tricking someone.

con artist

Highlights the use of deception and manipulation for personal gain.

FAQs

How can I use "crook" in a sentence?

You can use "crook" to refer to a dishonest person, as in "The police arrested the "criminal"" or to describe something bent, like "the "bend" in the river".

What's a more formal alternative to "crook"?

More formal alternatives include "fraudster", "embezzler", or "offender", depending on the specific context of the crime or wrongdoing.

Is it acceptable to use "crook" in academic writing?

While technically grammatically correct, "crook" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "fraudster" or ""criminal"".

What does it mean to say someone is "crook"?

In some dialects, saying someone is "crook" means they are ill or not feeling well. In most contexts, however, it suggests they are a ""criminal"" or dishonest.