Crooked
'krʊkɪd
Definitions
2 meaningsBent or twisted out of a straight or normal shape or position.
'krʊkɪd
Bent or twisted out of shape or position.
The fence was crooked and needed to be repaired.
💡 Simply: Imagine a road that doesn't go straight, but curves and winds. That's crooked! Like a bent banana or a leaning tower.
👶 For kids: When something is not straight, like a bent stick.
More Examples
He had a crooked smile.
The picture hung crooked on the wall.
How It's Used
"The old tree had a crooked trunk."
"The house was built with a crooked roof."
Dishonest or involving illegal activities.
'krʊkɪd
Dishonest or deceitful.
The politician was accused of crooked dealings.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who lies or cheats to get what they want. That person is being crooked, like a shady deal or a rigged game.
👶 For kids: When someone is doing something sneaky and not fair.
More Examples
The detective was determined to catch the crooked cop.
He always suspected her of being crooked.
How It's Used
"The investigation uncovered a crooked business deal."
"He suspected his neighbor of being crooked."
Idioms & expressions
crooked as a dog's hind leg
Very crooked, bent, or twisted.
"That old fence is crooked as a dog's hind leg and needs to be replaced."
to go crooked
to become crooked
"The picture on the wall went crooked when I closed the door."
From Middle English *croked*, from Old English *crōcod* ('bent, curved'), related to *crūcan* ('to bend, to crouch').
Used since the 13th century, initially describing physical bends and later extending to moral dishonesty by the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a hook – it's a crooked shape.
Word Origin
"bent, curved"