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.

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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 )

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Etymology

Origin of April fool

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Suzanne Cumpston, of Cowbridge's Sam Smith Travel, said: "Can't help thinking this is an out-of-date April fool."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

There was the suspicion of a 2014 April fool.

From The Guardian • Mar. 25, 2016

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

From Forbes • Sep. 19, 2013

It was the 1st of April, when Nature, so to speak, made the season itself an April fool.

From Hesperus or Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days Vol. II A Biography by Jean Paul