skylark

American  

[skahy-lahrk] / ˈskaɪˌlɑrk /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to frolic; sport.

   The children were skylarking on the beach.

skylark British  

/ ˈskaɪˌlɑːk /

noun

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

2. any of various Australian larks

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verb

1. informal (intr) to romp or play jokes

Other Word Forms

• skylarker noun

Etymology

Origin of skylark

First recorded in 1770–80; sky + lark ¹

Example Sentences

The area beside Bloody Bridge Valley, where firefighters tackled a two mile long fire, is a "very important" breeding ground for skylarks.

From BBC

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

• cavort
• frolic
• gambol
• prance