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Synonyms

prank

1 American  
[prangk] / præŋk /

noun

  1. a trick of an amusing, playful, or sometimes malicious nature.

    Synonyms:
    shenanigan, antic, escapade, caper
prank 2 American  
[prangk] / præŋk /

verb (used with object)

  1. to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner.

    They were all pranked out in their fanciest clothes.

verb (used without object)

  1. to make an ostentatious show or display.

prank 1 British  
/ præŋk /

verb

  1. (tr) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily

  2. (intr) to make an ostentatious display

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
prank 2 British  
/ præŋk /

noun

  1. a mischievous trick or joke, esp one in which something is done rather than said

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What is a prank call? A prank call or crank call is when a person calls someone up to make a joke or play a trick on them. Teenagers may make prank calls to random people while comedians may use them to dupe political figures. Though meant to be humorous and playful, they can have serious consequences.

Other Word Forms

  • prankish adjective
  • unpranked adjective

Etymology

Origin of prank1

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain

Origin of prank2

1540–50; akin to Dutch pronken to show off, strut, pronk show, finery, Middle Low German prank pomp

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.

The pair were arrested after a viral video showed the chair plunging to the ground from a height at Westfield in Stratford, as part of an internet prank in March last year.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

It’s part situation comedy, part reality show, part prank show.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

It was the first “SNL” sketch in a long time, not counting “Weekend Update,” that felt like a prank on the performers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

That's because her furniture, clothes and even members of her family all made sneaky appearances to prank her as part of Michael McIntyre's Big Show.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

"It looks like some kind of prank," George said.

From "Case of the Sneaky Snowman: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #5" by Carolyn Keene

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.