April fool

American  

noun

1. the victim of a practical joke or trick on April Fools' Day.

2. a practical joke or trick played on that day.

---

April fool British  

noun

1. an unsuspecting victim of a practical joke or trick traditionally performed on the first of April ( April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day )

---

Etymology

Origin of April fool

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

April fool

Suzanne Cumpston, of Cowbridge's Sam Smith Travel, said: "Can't help thinking this is an out-of-date April fool."

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2024

I pity the April fool who doesn’t try this week’s Slate News Quiz.

From Slate ● Apr. 1, 2022

On the one hand, could this be an early Google April fool?

From Forbes ● Sep. 19, 2013

Find out here if you are in the first rank – or an April fool Tweet this guardian.co.uk, Thursday 1 April 2010 00.05 BST Opening badly ...

From The Guardian ● Mar. 31, 2010

For an April fool luncheon write your invitations in red ink on dunce caps, cut out of yellow paper and seal with red seal.

From Dinners and Luncheons Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce, Paul