prank
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily
-
(intr) to make an ostentatious display
noun
Usage
What is a prank call? A prank call or crank call is when a person calls someone up to make a joke or play a trick on them. Teenagers may make prank calls to random people while comedians may use them to dupe political figures. Though meant to be humorous and playful, they can have serious consequences.
Other Word Forms
- prankish adjective
- unpranked adjective
Etymology
Origin of prank1
First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain
Origin of prank2
1540–50; akin to Dutch pronken to show off, strut, pronk show, finery, Middle Low German prank pomp
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The family followed these directions to the letter; they couldn’t risk missing Leila or Frankie, whose childhood pranks “would fill a book.”
From Literature
That's because her furniture, clothes and even members of her family all made sneaky appearances to prank her as part of Michael McIntyre's Big Show.
From BBC
Rob Glenny, from Beano, said the coin captures Dennis' "mischief", saying it is a "brilliant way to mark 75 years of laughs, pranks and unleashed imagination".
From BBC
Dimon, who turns 70 next month, thought the prank was amusing.
“Give me a few minutes. I could turn this into a really good prank.”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
