crank

CEFRC1

/ˈkɹæŋk/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A handle that turns a machine or wheel.

  2. 02

    verb

    To turn or operate something by using a handle.

Examples

  • Hey! I don't want any crank calls - not at this hour.

  • It will take you a whole lifetime to understand a crank like him.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈkʰɹʷeɪ̯ŋk] ~ /ˈkɹɛ̃ŋk/
  • /ˈkɹeɪ̯ŋk/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A person with strange ideas or an unusual temper.

  2. Bent; twisted; crooked; distorted; out of repair.

  3. Strange; weird; odd.

More examples

In context

  • These crank shafts are precision balanced for smooth high revving engines.

  • Billy-Bob is a nasty old crank! He chased my cat away.

  • John is a crank because he talks to himself.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

He turned the rusty blank to open the heavy garage door.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Dutch or Low German krank, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *krank, from Proto-Germanic *krangaz, *krankaz (“bent; weak”). Cognate with Scots crank, krank, German krank (“sick”).