prank

¹ American  

[prangk] / præŋk /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   shenanigan, antic, escapade, caper

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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.

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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

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prank ² British  

/ præŋk /

noun

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

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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

Explanation

Pretending to be someone else on the phone or putting a whoopee cushion on someone's chair are two very old types of a prank, or practical joke, played at someone else's expense. There are many kinds of pranks in the world. If you called a friend and said you were the police, that would be a prank phone call. Some pranks can be mean and even dangerous, while others are silly. Some people prank their friends, while others prank people they dislike. Some people never outgrow the need to pull a good prank. A less common meaning of prank is to dress up in a showy or silly way.

Example Sentences

She’s also engaged in time-honored traditions: recording an outgoing voicemail message, prank calling and fighting with a sibling over who gets to use it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

The prank was revealed when McIntyre, who had his own cameo in the Eastenders episode, knocked on her door.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

As well as some real scenes from the show, the prank involved creating a new storyline where Kathy Beale was on the hunt for a dubious character called Amanda.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Kids usually didn’t go to that kind of trouble when pulling a prank.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• antic
• gag
• high jinks
• horseplay
• lark
• spoof
• trick