practical joke

American  

noun

1. a playful trick, often involving some physical agent or means, in which the victim is placed in an embarrassing or disadvantageous position.

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practical joke British  

noun

1. a prank or trick usually intended to make the victim appear foolish

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Other Word Forms

• practical joker noun

Etymology

Origin of practical joke

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The five Georgia teens whose teacher died during a fatal practical joke will not be prosecuted in the educator's death, the district attorney has said.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

“This is more of a sincere gesture, not necessarily a practical joke but I wanted to present it to him.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025

Was it all some kind of practical joke?

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2023

It's almost as if McCarthy was playing some kind of elaborate practical joke.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2023

Then he drifted off in his novel costume, the sergeant’s ultimate practical joke on him.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• prank