Hooked

Hooked is the past participle of hook and an adjective used to describe something that has a hook or is shaped like a hook, such as a curved projection or fastener. It can also describe something that is attached by means of a hook, for example a fish on a hook or clothing hung on a hook. In everyday language, hooked is used figuratively to indicate a strong attraction or dependence on something, such as being hooked on a TV show, a video game, or a drug.

In fishing, to hook a fish means to catch it with a hook, and a fish can be described as hooked when it is caught. In medical, social, or colloquial contexts, hooked often refers to addiction or compulsive engagement, as in "hooked on heroin" or "hooked on caffeine." The term is common in informal speech and journalism, but it can carry stigma when discussing substance use, so more precise terms like addicted, dependent, or compulsive are sometimes preferred.

Origin and usage notes: hooked derives from hook plus the suffix -ed and is long established in English, with uses dating back to the Middle English period. Beyond its primary senses, hooked can appear in phrases such as "hooked on" to denote strong interest or reliance. In contemporary writing, speakers may rely on context to determine whether the term conveys physical attachment, metaphorical obsession, or casual interest.