hook

A curved piece of metal used to catch, hold, or pull something.

• The fish swallowed the hook.
• He pulled the box closer with a hook.
• Be careful of the sharp hooks in that bag.

Common phrases: fishing hook, sharp hook, hook and line, wall hook

A punch made by moving a bent arm sideways towards someone.

• He landed a left hook.
• The boxer dodged two powerful hooks.
• A quick hook to the jaw ended the fight.

Common phrases: left hook, right hook, powerful hook

To attach something using a curved metal piece that holds it in place.

• Hook your bag onto the rail.
• He hooked the rope to the boat.
• The curtain hooks easily onto these rings.

How to use it: hook something onto something (Hook the strap onto the ring.); hook something to something (She hooked the rope to the metal frame.)

Similar words: attach, fasten

Opposites: unhook

Common phrases: hook something on, hook something onto, hook a bag

To make someone want something so much that they find it hard to stop.

• The first episode hooked me.
• He got hooked on cigarettes as a teenager.
• Her exciting stories hook readers from the first page.

How to use it: be hooked on something (She is hooked on that new detective series.); get hooked on something (He got hooked on online games.)

Similar words: captivate, addict

Common phrases: hook someone, hook the audience, hook a reader

To bend a finger, arm, or similar part around or through something to hold it.

• She hooked her finger through the ring.
• He hooked an arm around the branch.
• I hooked my thumbs into my pockets.

How to use it: hook something through something (She hooked her thumb through a belt loop.); hook something around something (He hooked his arm around my shoulder.)

Similar words: curl

Common phrases: hook a finger, hook an arm, hook something around