different between tricky vs crooked

English

Etymology

From trick +? -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /t??ki/

• Rhymes: -?ki

Adjective

tricky (comparative trickier, superlative trickiest)

1. hard to deal with, complicated

   They were in a tricky situation.
2. adept at using deception

   A tricky salesman can sell anything.

3. (colloquial, slang) Relating to or associated with a prostitution trick

   I don't want any of your tricky money, thank you!

Related terms

• trick

Translations

See also

• sneaky

English

Etymology 1

From crook, equivalent to crook +? -ed.

Pronunciation

• Verb form: enPR: kro?okt, IPA^(key): /k??kt/

Verb

crooked

1. simple past tense and past participle of crook

Etymology 2

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

Pronunciation

• Adjective: enPR: kro?ok'?d, IPA^(key): /?k??k?d/
• pronunciation refers to adjective form.

Adjective

crooked (comparative more crooked, superlative most crooked)

1. Not straight; having one or more bends or angles.

   We walked up the crooked path to the top of the hill.

2. Set at an angle; not vertical or square.

   That picture is crooked - could you straighten it up for me?

3. (figuratively) Dishonest or illegal; corrupt.

   He was trying to interest me in another one of his crooked deals.

   • 2004, Peter Bondanella, Hollywood Italians: Dagos, Palookas, Romeos, Wise Guys, and Sopranos, chapter 4, 173–174:

     During the height of Italian immigration in the United States and in New York City, gangs flourished not only because of poverty but also because of political and social corruption. Policemen and politicians were often as crooked as the gang leaders themselves.

Translations

Anagrams

• red-cook