skylark

[skahy-lahrk]

noun

1. a brown-speckled European lark, Alauda arvensis, famed for its melodious song.

verb (used without object)

1. to frolic; sport.

   The children were skylarking on the beach.

skylark

/ ˈskaɪˌlɑːk /

noun

1. an Old World lark, Alauda arvensis, noted for singing while hovering at a great height

2. any of various Australian larks

verb

1. informal,  (intr) to romp or play jokes

Other Word Forms

• skylarker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skylark¹

First recorded in 1770–80; sky + lark ¹

Example Sentences

In the Mournes, Mr Fisher said rove beetles and other insects "support the skylarks and the meadow pipits that come from the lowlands to nest up in the uplands during this time of year".

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Other newspapers’ nicknames for her — the California nightingale, the California skylark — were not just about her immense vocal range, but about the wonder and novelty that California, of all places, could claim such a woman.

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He chalked up the incident as “a case where the skylarking and tomfoolery in an employment context has gone awry.”

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He told the court this was a case of "skylarking and tomfoolery" that had "gone awry".

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Nightingale, greenfinch, grey partridge, marsh tit, skylark, nightjar and tree pipit - all Red List species - have been recorded.

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Related Words

• cavort 
• frolic 
• gambol 
• prance