prank

UK: /ˈpræŋk/ US: /præŋk/ ,(prangk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

prank¹ /præŋk/   n. [countable]

1. an amusing or playful trick:
   a silly schoolboy prank.

prank•ster, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prank¹  (prangk), n. 

1. a trick of an amusing, playful, or sometimes malicious nature.

• origin, originally uncertain 1520–30

Synonyms

caper, escapade, antic, shenanigan.

prank²  (prangk), v.t. 

1. to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner:
   They were all pranked out in their fanciest clothes.

v.i. 

2. to make an ostentatious show or display.

• akin to Dutch pronken to show off, strut, pronk show, finery, Middle Low German prank pomp 1540–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prank / præŋk/ noun

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

verb

to perform a prank on (someone)

Etymology: 16th Century: of unknown origin

ˈprankish adjective

ˈprankishly adverb

ˈprankishness noun

prank / præŋk/ verb

1. (transitive) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily
2. (intransitive) to make an ostentatious display

Etymology: 16th Century: from Middle Dutch pronken; related to German Prunk splendour, prangen to be in full splendour