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.

---

practical joke British  

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

• practical joker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of practical joke

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The exhibit was supposed to spark debate, yes, but has the spirit of a harmless practical joke, she argues.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2024

Was it all some kind of practical joke?

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2023

At Helsinki, she was the ringleader in a practical joke played on Avery Brundage, president of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2023

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

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2023

He just couldn’t believe he’d been suckered into playing a practical joke on somebody.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

Related Words

• prank