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prank

1
[ 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.
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Origin of prank

1
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

2
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

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
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