1. a. A curved or sharply bent device, usually of metal, used to catch, drag, suspend, or fasten something else. b. A fishhook.

2. Something shaped like a hook, especially: a. A curved or barbed plant or animal part. b. A short angled or curved line on a letter. c. A sickle.

3. a. A sharp bend or curve, as in a river. b. A point or spit of land with a sharply curved end.

4. A means of catching or ensnaring; a trap.

5. Slang. a. A means of attracting interest or attention; an enticement: a sales hook. b. Music. A catchy motif or refrain: "sugary hard rock melodies [and] ear candy hooks" (Boston Globe).

6. Sports. a. A short swinging blow in boxing delivered with a crooked arm. b. A golf stroke that sends the ball to the left of a right-handed player or to the right of a left-handed player. c. In surfing, the lip of a breaking wave.

7. Baseball. A curve ball.

8. Basketball. A hook shot.

1. a. To catch, suspend, or connect with a hook. b. Informal. To snare. c. Slang. To steal; snatch. See synonyms at steal.

2. To fasten by or as if by a hook.

3. To pierce or gore with or as if with a hook.

4. Slang. a. To take strong hold of; captivate: a novel that hooked me on the very first page. b. To cause to become addicted.

5. To make (a rug) by looping yarn through canvas with a type of hook.

6. Sports. a. To hit with a hook in boxing. b. To hit (a golf ball) in a hook.

7. Baseball. To pitch (a ball) with a curve.

8. Basketball. To shoot (a ball) in a hook shot.

1. To bend like a hook.

2. To fasten by means of a hook or a hook and eye.

3. Slang. To work as a prostitute.

1. To assemble or wire (a mechanism).

2. To connect a mechanism and a source of power.

3. Slang. To form a tie or connection: hooked up with the wrong crowd.