crookneck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareInformal, Technical (Botany/Horticulture)
Quick answer
What does “crookneck” mean?
A type of squash with a long, curved neck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of squash with a long, curved neck.
A person with a crooked or twisted neck (archaic/humorous). Also used in the name of the 'crookneck squash' variety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in both varieties. The vegetable is more commonly known in the US due to its cultivation there.
Connotations
Neutral for the vegetable; slightly old-fashioned or jocular if referring to a person.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Higher likelihood of encounter in gardening contexts, seed catalogues, or agricultural texts, particularly in North America.
Grammar
How to Use “crookneck” in a Sentence
crookneck squashyellow crookneckcrookneck gourdVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crookneck” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- We grew some crookneck squash in the allotment this year.
American English
- The recipe calls for two yellow crookneck squashes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unlikely, except in agricultural supply or fresh produce sectors.
Academic
Used in botanical or horticultural papers describing Cucurbita pepo varieties.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used at a farmer's market or in a gardening conversation.
Technical
A specific cultivar name in botany and agriculture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crookneck”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crookneck”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crookneck”
- Using it to refer to a person in a serious context.
- Spelling as 'crookedneck' (though understandable, the standard is 'crookneck').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare word. Most English speakers would use the full term 'crookneck squash' or simply 'yellow squash'.
Historically, yes, to describe someone with a crooked neck. Today, this usage is archaic and would be seen as humorous or narrative rather than a serious descriptor.
The difference is purely morphological (shape). Crookneck has a curved, often bulbous neck, while straightneck has a uniform, straight shape. Both are varieties of summer squash.
It is almost always used as a noun modifier before 'squash'. Example: 'I'm making a gratin with crookneck squash and tomatoes.'
A type of squash with a long, curved neck.
Crookneck is usually informal, technical (botany/horticulture) in register.
Crookneck: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrʊknɛk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrʊkˌnɛk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cook with a crooked neck picking a crooked-necked squash.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAPE FOR OBJECT (the distinctive curved shape names the whole vegetable).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'crookneck' primarily?