1
a
: a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling
b
: something intended to attract and ensnare
c
2
: something curved or bent like a hook
3
: 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
4
: a short blow delivered with a circular motion by a boxer while the elbow remains bent and rigid
5
6
7
: quick or summary removal
—used with get or give
the pitcher got the hook after giving up three runs
8
: a device especially in music or writing that catches the attention
9
: a selling point or marketing scheme
10
hooked; hooking; hooks
1
: to form into a hook : crook
2
a
: to seize or make fast by or as if by a hook
b
: to connect by or as if by a hook
It … comes with a detachable carabiner for hooking it to whatever you want …—
Tyler Lacoma
Tyler LacomaFortunately, it isn't hard to hook your computer to your TV.—Kim Comando
—often used with upKim ComandoWe didn't have the opportunity to hook up a trailer, so we can't comment on braking under serious load.—Jeremy Korzeniewski
Jeremy KorzeniewskiIt lets you hook up your phone to a bigger screen and use a mouse and keyboard.—Joanna Stern
Joanna Stern4
: to make (something, such as a rug) by drawing loops of yarn, thread, or cloth through a coarse fabric with a hook
5
: to hit or throw (a ball) so that a hook results
Synonyms
Noun
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- cuff
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Verb
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 WebFrank Rizzo, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kings let them off the hook, going 8 of 26 (.308) from the field and 3 of 10 (.300) from 3-point range in the second period.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
In addition to the oversized blade, this chatterbait brings a gaff of a hook to the table with a heavy-duty 6/0 Mustad UltraPoint hook.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 17 Apr. 2024
But so far, when the IRS comes after a business that didn’t qualify, the promoters aren’t the ones on the hook — the businesses are.
—Laura Strickler, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
One officer, Kenneth Hood II, stands directly in front of Mr. Feliciano’s cell for a full minute, watching as Mr. Feliciano ties his clothing to a U-shape hook in the ceiling, tests his weight against it and briefly wraps it around his neck.
—Ainara Tiefenthäler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Small sellers aren't completely off the hook, though.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
And with 99 Cents Only as the company name, the widening discrepancy between its longtime marketing hook and what was actually on the price tags became glaring to budget-conscious customers.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
After the People story came out, my phone starts ringing off the hook.
—Liz McNeil, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Apr. 2024
The copper tanks are hooked right to our draft system.
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
People can use it for months at a time without having to worry about getting hooked.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
TikTok has trained users to scroll away if they aren’t hooked within the first half-second, social media video editors said.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
The scientists hooked the dogs up to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine using non-invasive scalp sensors to measure their brain activity.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
Shopping for the latter at a local railroad store, the Orange County native who grew up within walking distance to Disneyland was suddenly hooked by the model railroad industry.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Equipped with a standard flat beater, wire whisk, dough hook, and a spatula, the mixer has plenty of attachments to handle mixtures of different densities.
—Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2024
What hooks viewers are the family dynamics but perhaps also just the Maine of it all.
—Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
Audiences may feel the same way after seeing this work of theatrical virtuosity, realizing that all the tiny details, wild rhythms, and clever hooks presented on stage have added up to a work that is brave, purposeful, and rich.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kings let them off the hook, going 8 of 26 (.308) from the field and 3 of 10 (.300) from 3-point range in the second period.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024
In addition to the oversized blade, this chatterbait brings a gaff of a hook to the table with a heavy-duty 6/0 Mustad UltraPoint hook.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 17 Apr. 2024
But so far, when the IRS comes after a business that didn’t qualify, the promoters aren’t the ones on the hook — the businesses are.
—Laura Strickler, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
One officer, Kenneth Hood II, stands directly in front of Mr. Feliciano’s cell for a full minute, watching as Mr. Feliciano ties his clothing to a U-shape hook in the ceiling, tests his weight against it and briefly wraps it around his neck.
—Ainara Tiefenthäler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Small sellers aren't completely off the hook, though.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
And with 99 Cents Only as the company name, the widening discrepancy between its longtime marketing hook and what was actually on the price tags became glaring to budget-conscious customers.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
After the People story came out, my phone starts ringing off the hook.
—Liz McNeil, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
Sandford’s devoted fans will love this one, and newcomers will be hooked.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Apr. 2024
The copper tanks are hooked right to our draft system.
—Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
People can use it for months at a time without having to worry about getting hooked.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
TikTok has trained users to scroll away if they aren’t hooked within the first half-second, social media video editors said.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024
The scientists hooked the dogs up to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine using non-invasive scalp sensors to measure their brain activity.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
Shopping for the latter at a local railroad store, the Orange County native who grew up within walking distance to Disneyland was suddenly hooked by the model railroad industry.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Equipped with a standard flat beater, wire whisk, dough hook, and a spatula, the mixer has plenty of attachments to handle mixtures of different densities.
—Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2024
What hooks viewers are the family dynamics but perhaps also just the Maine of it all.
—Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to hook
Dictionary Entries Near hook
Cite this Entry
“Hook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hook. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hook
1 of 2 noun1
: a curved or bent tool for catching, holding, or pulling
2
: something curved or bent
3
: 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
4
: a short sweeping punch made with the elbow bent
5
: cradle entry 1 sense 6
left the phone off the hook
hook
2 of 2 verb2
a
: to seize, make fast, or connect by or as if by a hook
b
: to become secured or connected by or as if by a hook
4
: to make by drawing loops of thread, yarn, or cloth through a coarse fabric with a hook
hook a rug
5
: to hit or throw a ball so that a hook results
Medical Definition
hook
noun1
: an instrument used in surgery to take hold of tissue
a crypt hook
a cordotomy hook
2
: an anatomical part that resembles a hook
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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