Hooking
/ˈhʊkɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe action of catching, attaching, or securing something with a hook or hooks.
/ˈhʊkɪŋ/
Catching or securing with a hook or hooks.
He was hooking the trailer to his car.
💡 Simply: Like when you're using a fishing rod and catching a fish with the hook, or like a crane using a hook to lift something heavy! It means to grab onto something with a hook.
👶 For kids: Using a hook to grab something, like a fish!
More Examples
She expertly hooked the wire to the circuit board.
The robot is hooking the boxes onto the conveyor belt.
How It's Used
"The fisherman was hooking a large trout."
"The crane was hooking the steel beam."
To engage in prostitution or to be addicted to drugs; informal and often illicit behavior.
/ˈhʊkɪŋ/
Engaging in illicit activity or using drugs.
The police arrested several individuals suspected of hooking.
💡 Simply: This one has a very different meaning. It means to do something illegal like selling your body for sex (prostitution), or taking illegal drugs. It's not a good thing!
👶 For kids: When someone does something not allowed, or dangerous (like taking bad medicine).
More Examples
She was trying to escape the cycle of hooking.
He knew he had to stop hooking if he wanted to stay out of jail.
How It's Used
"He was accused of hooking on the street."
"He claimed he was addicted to hooking."
To captivate or grab someone's attention.
/ˈhʊkɪŋ/
Capturing someone's attention; captivating.
The song's rhythm was incredibly hooking.
💡 Simply: When something grabs your attention and doesn't let go, that's hooking! It's like when you can't stop reading a book or watching a show.
👶 For kids: When something is super interesting, and you can't stop looking or listening!
More Examples
The speaker's opening remarks were designed to be hooking.
The plot twist at the end of the book was truly hooking.
How It's Used
"The film's visuals were hooking from the very first scene."
"The ad campaign aimed to be hooking to its target demographic."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
hooked on
Addicted to or very fond of something.
"She's hooked on reality TV."
hook up
To connect or establish a relationship; to meet someone romantically (informal).
"Could you hook up the new printer to the computer?"
From Middle English *hoken*, from Old English *hōcian* ('to hook'), related to *hōk* ('hook').
Used in similar senses since the 14th century, originally referring to using a physical hook.