# crone

/ˈkɹoʊn/ (US) · /kɹˈəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crone
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

an old woman, often pictured as ugly or unpleasant, like a witch in old stories. People use it mostly in tales, not in everyday talk.

For teachers: an old woman depicted as ugly, withered, or witch-like, often with connotations of malevolence or supernatural power.

## Examples

- The old story describes a lonely crone in the woods.
- The children fear the crone at the end of the lane, though she only sells herbs from her garden.
- In the novel, the village dismisses her as a bitter crone, yet her sharp memory preserves histories the younger generation has already forgotten.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.