English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word crank in English

What does crank mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

crank

US /kræŋk/
UK /kræŋk/
"crank" picture

Noun

1.

a device for transmitting rotary motion, consisting of a part, typically a handle, joined perpendicularly to a rotating shaft by a bend in the shaft or a disc fixed to it

Example:
•
He turned the crank to raise the window.
•
The old car had a hand crank for starting.
Synonym:
handle lever grip shaft arm
2.

an eccentric or ill-tempered person

Example:
•
My neighbor is a bit of a crank, always complaining about something.
•
He's a conspiracy theory crank.
Synonym:
eccentric oddball nut weirdo lunatic

Verb

start (an engine) by turning a handle

Example:
•
He had to crank the old engine to get it running.
•
Can you crank up the volume a bit?
Synonym:
start turn rotate wind up rev up

Adjective

easily annoyed or irritable

Example:
•
He gets a bit crank when he hasn't had his coffee.
Synonym:
irritable grumpy peevish testy cross
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Related Word:
crank out