crook A crook is a person who steals. Crooks entered the building and stole some computers and other equipment from the offices. A crook made off with some valuable jewelry from a jewelry store. (make off with = steal) A man who worked in the finance department was accused of being a crook. Nathan says that he doesn’t like to pay taxes because people who work in government are crooks. Everyone thought the CEO of the company was doing a good job, but then he turned out to be a crook.
The word "crooked" is an adjective. This word is often used for people in power who misuse their position and their power to do something illegal. A crooked police officer was caught taking bribes. A crooked judge helped a friend of his get out of jail. A crooked lawyer was able to get himself out of jail. The manager of a local bank went to jail because he made some crooked deals.
The manager of the bank turned out to be a crook.
The word "crooked" also means that something is not straight. The painting hanging on the wall is crooked. The lines painted on the street were crooked and had to be repainted. Molly went to a plastic surgeon who straightened out her crooked nose.
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