Hook
/hʊk/
Definitions
4 meaningsA curved piece of metal or other material, used for catching, holding, or hanging things.
/hʊk/
A curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling.
She hung her keys on a hook by the door.
💡 Simply: Imagine a curved thingy, like what you use to hang your coat on or what a fisherman uses to catch a fish. That's a hook!
👶 For kids: A hook is a curved thing that you can use to grab or hold things.
More Examples
The fishing rod had a sharp hook at the end of the line.
He used the hook to pull the gate open.
How It's Used
"The fisherman baited the hook with a worm."
"The crane used a hook to lift the heavy beam."
"The boxer landed a powerful hook to his opponent's jaw."
To fasten something with a hook or to connect something to something else.
/hʊk/
To fasten or connect with a hook.
She hooked the gate shut.
💡 Simply: To hook something is like using that curved thingy (a hook!) to attach or connect something. Like, you can hook your keys to your belt loop.
👶 For kids: To hook something is to put it on a hook to hold it.
More Examples
He hooked the trailer to the car.
Please hook up the cable box to the TV.
How It's Used
"She hooked her bra."
"Can you hook up the speakers to the amplifier?"
"He hooked the ball into the water hazard."
To swing a fist or other object in a curved motion; or to hit a ball in a curved direction.
/hʊk/
To move or turn with a swinging motion.
The boxer hooked his opponent in the jaw.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in boxing or playing golf. To 'hook' is to make a curved motion, like throwing a sideways punch (a hook in boxing) or hitting a golf ball so it curves off course.
👶 For kids: When you hook, you move something in a curved way, like a punch in boxing.
More Examples
He hooked the golf ball into the water.
The wrestler hooked his opponent's leg.
How It's Used
"The boxer hooked his left arm at his opponent's face."
"He accidentally hooked the ball into the trees."
Something that grabs a listener or reader's attention or makes them want to know more.
/hʊk/
An attractive feature, such as the beginning of a song or the introduction to a presentation.
The book's hook was a mysterious letter.
💡 Simply: Think of the beginning of a song that makes you want to listen to the whole thing, or the start of a story that keeps you reading. That attention-grabbing part is the 'hook'. It's the 'catch'!
👶 For kids: A hook is something that makes you want to pay attention to something.
More Examples
The commercial used a celebrity endorsement as a hook.
The band's hook was an unforgettable melody.
How It's Used
"The song's catchy hook got stuck in my head."
"The presenter started with a hook to grab the audience's attention."
"A strong hook is essential for drawing readers into an article."
Synonyms
Barb
Catch
Clasp
Crook
Grapple
Attach
Connect
Couple
Arch
Bend
Curve
Appeal
Attraction
Idioms & expressions
off the hook
To be free from blame, punishment, or obligation.
"After the investigation, he was let off the hook."
by hook or by crook
By any means necessary; by fair means or foul.
"I am determined to finish this project by hook or by crook."
hook, line, and sinker
Completely, totally, and without any doubt (often used in context of being deceived or convinced).
"He believed her story hook, line, and sinker."
From Old English *hōc*, from Proto-Germanic *hōkaz* (compare Dutch haak, German Haken), from Proto-Indo-European *keg- (referring to a bent or curved object).
The word 'hook' has been used since Old English, initially referring to a curved instrument, similar in use to modern applications.
Memory tip
Think of the fishing hook – it's a curved tool.