prank

¹ American  

[prangk] / præŋk /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   shenanigan, antic, escapade, caper

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prank ² American  

[prangk] / præŋk /

verb (used with object)

1. to dress or adorn in an ostentatious manner.

   They were all pranked out in their fanciest clothes.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make an ostentatious show or display.

prank ¹ British  

/ præŋk /

verb

1. (tr) to dress or decorate showily or gaudily

2. (intr) to make an ostentatious display

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prank ² British  

/ præŋk /

noun

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

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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

Explanation

Pretending to be someone else on the phone or putting a whoopee cushion on someone's chair are two very old types of a prank, or practical joke, played at someone else's expense. There are many kinds of pranks in the world. If you called a friend and said you were the police, that would be a prank phone call. Some pranks can be mean and even dangerous, while others are silly. Some people prank their friends, while others prank people they dislike. Some people never outgrow the need to pull a good prank. A less common meaning of prank is to dress up in a showy or silly way.

Example Sentences

He and co-worker Matt Carlin would prank call a friend who had a more established career—an architect—pretending to be angry clients, Carlin recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

She’s also engaged in time-honored traditions: recording an outgoing voicemail message, prank calling and fighting with a sibling over who gets to use it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Staff told the ambulance service that it was "a prank call", however the records note she had three seizures that day and the inquest heard no staff member asked her why she was seeking help.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

She also that her husband and father of two was beloved by the students, knew about the prank and "was excited and waiting to catch them in the act".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

For pure, mad prank, I snatch a cloth from the nearest table and tie it around my neck to make a napkin.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

Related Words

• antic
• gag
• high jinks
• horseplay
• lark
• spoof
• trick