prank
pronunciation
How to pronounce prank in British English:
UK [præŋk]
How to pronounce prank in American English:
US [præŋk]
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- Noun:
- acting like a clown or buffoon
- a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
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- Verb:
- dress or decorate showily or gaudily
- dress up showily
Word Origin
- prank (n.)
- "a ludicrous trick" [Johnson], 1520s, of uncertain origin, perhaps related to obsolete verb prank "decorate, dress up" (mid-15c.), related to Middle Low German prank "display" (compare also Dutch pronken, German prunken "to make a show, to strut"). The verb in the modern sense also is from 1520s. Related: Pranked; pranking.
Example
- 1. The whole thing was an elaborate prank !
- 2. One radio station prank took place on april fool 's day .
- 3. At its most basic level , a pseudonym is a prank .
- 4. Remind children that the punishment for a prank 911 call is serious .
- 5. And , she added , one brother calls her at 5 a.m. as a prank .