prank

1
[ prangk ]
See synonyms for prank on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a trick of an amusing, playful, or sometimes malicious nature.

Origin of prank

1
First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain

Other words for prank

Other definitions for prank (2 of 2)

prank2
[ prangk ]

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.

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

  • Martha played the most inconsiderate pranks with its centre of gravity, but quite in vain.

  • People at first laughed at your silly pranks, hoping you would return to your senses.

  • She has several daughters, who p. 10occasionally accompany her in her expeditions and assist her in the commission of her pranks.

  • You see, he was quite a boy when he left us, and he used to tell us funny stories about the pranks that the midshipmen played.

    A Roving Commission | G. A. Henty
  • Dacres' little pranks were invariably intended to be of a harmless nature, but sometimes the result surpassed his expectations.

    The Dreadnought of the Air | Percy F. Westerman

British Dictionary definitions for prank (1 of 2)

prank1

/ (præŋk) /


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

Origin of prank

1
C16: of unknown origin

Derived forms of prank

  • prankish, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for prank (2 of 2)

prank2

/ (præŋk) /


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

  2. (intr) to make an ostentatious display

Origin of prank

2
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