# hooker

/ˈhʊkɝ/ (US) · /hˈʊkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hooker
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a sex worker

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar · American English

a slang word for a prostitute.

For teachers: a slang term for a prostitute, often considered derogatory or vulgar.

- The movie was about a young woman working as a hooker on the streets of New York.
- Sociologists argue that the term hooker reflects a historical stigmatization of sex work that persists in contemporary urban slang.

### 2. rugby player

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a player in the middle of the front row in rugby who uses their feet to get the ball.

For teachers: the player in the centre of the front row of the scrum who attempts to hook the ball backward with the foot.

- The hooker won the ball quickly during the first scrum of the match.
- Modern rugby requires the hooker to be not only a strong scrummager but also an accurate thrower during line-outs.

### 3. a boat

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Dialect

a small, traditional fishing boat.

For teachers: a small commercial fishing vessel, particularly a traditional sailing boat used in Ireland or the Netherlands.

- We saw an old wooden hooker sailing near the coast of Galway.
- The Galway hooker is a distinctive sailing craft developed for the strong seas of the Atlantic coast of Ireland.

### 4. someone who crochets

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a person who makes things using a crochet hook.

For teachers: an individual who engages in the craft of crochet.

- She is a talented hooker who makes beautiful blankets for her friends.
- Within the online crafting community, many hobbyists jokingly refer to themselves as hookers to highlight their dedication to crochet.

## Examples

- The movie tells the story of a hooker in Los Angeles.
- The neighborhood was once known for hookers standing on the corners, but it has since been gentrified.
- Social workers argue that using terms like hooker can further marginalize vulnerable people who are already facing significant systemic challenges and safety risks.

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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.