crook

Someone who steals, cheats, or breaks the law.

• That dealer is a crook.
• The police caught the crooks yesterday.
• A clever crook had tricked her into sending money.

Similar words: criminal, thief, cheat

Common phrases: a crook, catch a crook, crook stole something

A bend or curve, especially where an arm bends at the elbow.

• The baby slept in the crook of her arm.
• He tucked the parcel into the crook of his elbow.
• She noticed a slight crook in the branch.

How to use it: the crook of something (She carried the kitten in the crook of her arm.)

Similar words: bend, curve

Common phrases: crook of something, crook of the arm, crook of the elbow, crook of a cane

To bend a finger or another part into a curved or hook shape.

• She crooked her finger at me.
• He crooked his arm to support the baby.
• Crook your elbow slightly and hold it there.

Similar words: bend, curve

Opposites: straighten

Common phrases: crook a finger, crook an arm, crook an elbow

Feeling ill or physically unwell.

• I feel a bit crook today.
• She looked crook after the long boat trip.
• He stayed in bed because he was feeling crook.

Similar words: ill, sick, unwell

Opposites: well, healthy

Common phrases: feel crook, a bit crook, look crook

Bad or below the standard expected.

• That was a crook job, mate.
• We got a crook deal on the car.
• His crook repair work caused more problems.

Similar words: bad, poor, shoddy

Opposites: good

Common phrases: crook job, crook deal, crook work