What does "prank" mean?
A practical joke or mischievous trick.
Prank
/pɹæŋk/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A practical joke or mischievous trick.
- Grammar: prank is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: trick, antic, caper, gag.
- Useful contrasts: frankness, genuine act, genuine conduct.
- Usage evidence: Sarah was discerning enough to realize that her friends were trying to prank her.
How to use "prank"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "prank" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "prank" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "prank" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "prank" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "prank" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "trick" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A practical joke or mischievous trick.
"play a prank"
- 2 a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement wordnet
- 3 An evil deed; a malicious trick, an act of cruel deception. obsolete
"She played a cruel prank on him."
- 4 acting like a clown or buffoon wordnet
Verb
- 1 To perform a practical joke on; to trick and make a fool of someone. transitive
"“If someone’s pranking me,” Rowlands remembered thinking, “they’re going to great lengths to make it work.”"
- 2 dress up showily wordnet
- 3 To perform a practical joke on; to trick and make a fool of someone.; To make a prank call to (someone). transitive
- 4 dress or decorate showily or gaudily wordnet
- 5 To call someone's phone and hang up before they answer, so as to send them a notification (of a missed call) without incurring fees. slang, transitive
"Hey man, prank me when you wanna get picked up."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously. archaic, transitive
"In sumptuous tire she ioyd her selfe to prancke"
- 7 To make an ostentatious show. intransitive
"White houses prank where once were huts."
Example
"Sarah was discerning enough to realize that her friends were trying to prank her."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prank"?
Common synonyms include: trick, antic, caper, gag, joke, practical joke.
How do you use "prank" in a sentence?
Sarah was discerning enough to realize that her friends were trying to prank her.
How do you pronounce "prank"?
Pronounced /pɹæŋk/.
Etymology
Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English pranken (“to adorn, arrange one's attire”), probably from Middle Dutch pronken, proncken (“to flaunt, make a show, arrange one's attire”), related to German prangen (“to make a show, be resplendent”), Dutch prangen (“to squeeze, press”), Danish pragt (“pomp, splendor”), all from Proto-Germanic *pranganą, *prangijaną, *prag- (“to press, squeeze, thring”), from Proto-Indo-European *brAngh- (“to press, squeeze”). Or, perhaps ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *brahtaz, similar to Dutch pracht (“splendor”), Swedish prakt (“glory, pomp”) (loaned from Low German). Cognate with Middle Low German prunken (“to flaunt”), German prunken (“to flaunt”), Danish prunke (“to make a show, prank”). Sense of "mischievous act" from earlier verbal sense of "to be crafty or subtle, set in order, adjust". See also prink, prance, prong.