April Fools' Day
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of April Fools' Day
First recorded in 1745–50; the variant All Fools' Day is first recorded in 1700–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Every year, journalist Ben Black publishes a playful fake story on his community news site Cwmbran Life for April Fools' Day.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2025
Released for the PC as part of the studio’s April Fools’ Day tradition, the game sold a million copies within two weeks.
From New York Times • May 4, 2024
The Farmington Police Department shared details of the encounter on April Fools’ Day, a day after the actual encounter, and assured that this was no prank.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2023
“Women Talking” writer-director Polley made everyone’s April Fools’ Day by sharing a fake letter from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rescinding her Oscar — written by her 11-year-old child.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2023
“This is why you don’t lend your phone out on April Fools’ Day, Simon.”
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.