ENGLISH
REFERENCE

crooked

adj.
US //ˈkɹʊkəd// crooked
  1. 1 not straight (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having bends or curves; not straight or even.

    physically bent, curved, or twisted; lacking a straight or symmetrical form.

    Example

    The old man walked with a crooked stick he found in the woods.

    Example

    The narrow path followed a crooked line through the dense forest, winding around ancient trees and massive boulders.
  2. 2 tilted or uneven (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not in the correct position; leaning to one side.

    positioned at an angle; not vertical, level, or square.

    Example

    The picture on the wall is crooked; please straighten it.

    Example

    After the minor earthquake, several paintings in the gallery were left crooked, requiring the staff to spend hours realigning them.
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  1. 3 dishonest (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    dishonest or illegal, especially regarding money or power.

    morally or legally corrupt; engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices.

    Example

    The city had to fire the crooked politician for stealing tax money.

    Example

    The investigative journalist spent months uncovering the crooked dealings of the corporation's executive board.
  2. 4 grumpy (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Dialect

    feeling annoyed or in a bad mood.

    characterised by an ill-tempered or irritable disposition.

    Example

    Don't mind him; he's always a bit crooked before he has his morning coffee.

    Example

    The locals knew to avoid the shopkeeper when he was in a crooked mood, as he was prone to sharp remarks.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is primarily found in Newfoundland English; learners should use 'grumpy' or 'irritable' in standard contexts.
Etymology 1

From crook, equivalent to crook + -ed.

Etymology 2

From Middle English croked, crokid, past participle of croken (“to crook, bend”). Cognate with Danish kroget (“crooked”). More at crook.

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