hook

1 of 2

noun

ˈhu̇k

Synonyms of hook next

: a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling

: something intended to attract and ensnare

: anchor sense 1

: something curved or bent like a hook

especially, hooks plural : fingers

: a flight or course of a ball that deviates from straight in a direction opposite to the dominant hand of the player propelling it

also : a ball following such a course compare slice

: a short blow delivered with a circular motion by a boxer while the elbow remains bent and rigid

: hook shot

: buttonhook

: quick or summary removal

—used with get or give

the pitcher got the hook after giving up three runs

: a device especially in music or writing that catches the attention

: a selling point or marketing scheme

: cradle sense 1b(2)

hook

2 of 2

verb

hooked; hooking; hooks

transitive verb

: to form into a hook : crook

: to seize or make fast by or as if by a hook

: to connect by or as if by a hook

It … comes with a detachable carabiner for hooking it to whatever you want …—

Tyler Lacoma

Fortunately, it isn't hard to hook your computer to your TV.—

Kim Comando

—often used with up

We didn't have the opportunity to hook up a trailer, so we can't comment on braking under serious load.—

Jeremy Korzeniewski

It lets you hook up your phone to a bigger screen and use a mouse and keyboard.—

Joanna Stern

: steal, pilfer

: to make (something, such as a rug) by drawing loops of yarn, thread, or cloth through a coarse fabric with a hook

: to hit or throw (a ball) so that a hook results

intransitive verb

: to form a hook : curve

: to become hooked

: to work as a sex worker

Phrases

by hook or by crook

: by any means

off the hook

: out of trouble

: free of responsibility or accountability

on one's own hook

: by oneself : independently

Examples of hook in a Sentence

Noun She hit a hook into the left rough. He threw a right hook to his opponent's body. Verb The train cars were hooked together. My sweater was hooked on a branch. I hooked the door shut. The dress hooks in the back. The two parts hooked together. He hooked a large fish. He hooked his arm around my neck. She hooked her fingers around the doorknob. He hooked his thumb through a loop of his pants.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

The broadcaster is not on the hook to be proactive here, but rather reactive. —

Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024 Especially in the first half, the Warriors didn’t let the Wizards off the hook for being undisciplined. —

Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Two former sales leaders involved in the effort likened it to a drug dealer hooking a user with free samples. —

Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2024 Her husband joined her dressed as a fisherman, hooking her into his fishing line. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hook

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hōc; akin to Middle Dutch hoec fishhook, corner, Lithuanian kengė hook

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of hook was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing hook

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hook. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

hook

1 of 2 noun

ˈhu̇k

: a curved or bent tool for catching, holding, or pulling

: something curved or bent

: the flight of a ball curving to the left when hit or thrown by a right-hander or to the right when hit or thrown by a left-hander

: a short sweeping punch made with the elbow bent

: cradle entry 1 sense 6

left the phone off the hook

hook

2 of 2 verb

: to form into a hook : crook, curve

: to seize, make fast, or connect by or as if by a hook

: to become secured or connected by or as if by a hook

: pilfer, steal

: to make by drawing loops of thread, yarn, or cloth through a coarse fabric with a hook

hook a rug

: to hit or throw a ball so that a hook results

Medical Definition

hook

noun

ˈhu̇k

: an instrument used in surgery to take hold of tissue

a crypt hook

a cordotomy hook

: an anatomical part that resembles a hook

Last Updated: 20 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

victuals

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

hook

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of hook in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near hook

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition