prank

[ prangk ]

/ præŋk /

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See synonyms for: prank / pranked / pranking / pranks on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

OTHER WORDS FOR prank

caper, escapade, antic, shenanigan.

See synonyms for prank on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of prank

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain

Other definitions for prank (2 of 2)

prank²

[ prangk ]

/ præŋk /

verb (used with object)

to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner: They were all pranked out in their fanciest clothes.

verb (used without object)

to make an ostentatious show or display.

Origin of prank

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

OTHER WORDS FROM prank

un·pranked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prank in a sentence

When Samaira Mehta was 6 years old, her father played a prank on her.
Samaira Mehta shows other kids the fun of coding by inventing board games|Gina Rich|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
The campaign set up a fraud hotline, which was eventually swamped with prank calls.
It began on a gold escalator. It may have ended at Four Seasons Total Landscaping.|Dan Zak, Karen Heller|November 8, 2020|Washington Post
“We thought it was brilliant,” Brennan, Holy Child Class of 1975, said of their prank.
From ‘Surrender Dorothy’ to ‘Surrender Donald’: The Beltway bridge has a new message|John Kelly|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
He did not hack into insecure servers, he messed with friends’ computers as a prank.
The Inside Story of How Signal Became the Private Messaging App for an Age of Fear and Distrust|Billy Perrigo|September 25, 2020|Time

For centuries, on the first of April people have pranked one another just for the lolz.
Lame Duck Laughs From Political Pranksters|Olivia Nuzzi|April 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is this unspoken idea that if you participate in it you will be mocked and trolled and pranked.
More Shocking Than Online Suicides Are the Crowds Who Clamor to Watch|Caitlin Dickson|December 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And never was Corsanico more charming, all drenched in sunlight and pranked out with fresh green.
Alone|Norman Douglas
She flung on roguish, feverish, diabolical, seductive in low-cut bodice pranked with flowers.
The Grey Wig: Stories and Novelettes|Israel Zangwill
Why have you pranked yourself out, spent an hour I dare say in making yourself pretty to-day?
The Invader|Margaret L. Woods
Ensigns and symbols of unknown meaning, and rich regalia pranked the dull gray faces of the pile with holiday splendors.
The Fair God|Lew Wallace
Some meadows in the distance, pranked with ranunculuses, looked like stretches of green water reflecting a starry sky.
After the Divorce|Grazia Deledda

British Dictionary definitions for prank (1 of 2)

prank¹

/ (præŋk) /

noun

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

Derived forms of prank

prankish, adjective

Word Origin for prank

C16: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for prank (2 of 2)

prank²

/ (præŋk) /

verb

(tr) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily

(intr) to make an ostentatious display

Word Origin for prank

C16: from Middle Dutch pronken; related to German Prunk splendour, prangen to be in full splendour

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

OTHER WORDS FOR prank

Origin of prank

Other definitions for prank (2 of 2)

Origin of prank

OTHER WORDS FROM prank

Words related to prank

How to use prank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prank (1 of 2)

Derived forms of prank

Word Origin for prank

British Dictionary definitions for prank (2 of 2)

Word Origin for prank