prank — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A practical joke or mischievous trick.

   Examples

   play a prank

   pull a prank on someone

   More examples (3)

   He pulled a gruesome prank on his sister.

   His pranks have been too broad to bear with.

   The harpies […] played their accustomed pranks.

2. An evil deed; a malicious trick, an act of cruel deception.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   She played a cruel prank on him.

   More examples (1)

   Lilius Geraldus ſaith,that Hercules after all his mad prankes vpon his wife and children, was perfectly cured by a purge of Hellebor,which an Anticyrian adminiſtred vnto him.

Verb

1. To perform a practical joke on; to trick and make a fool of someone.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   “If someone’s pranking me,” Rowlands remembered thinking, “they’re going to great lengths to make it work.”

2. To perform a practical joke on; to trick and make a fool of someone. To make a prank call to (someone).

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. 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.

   Usage

   • Slang
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   missed call

   Examples

   Hey man, prank me when you wanna get picked up.

   I don't have your number in my phone; can you prank me?

4. To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Transitive

   Examples

   In sumptuous tire she ioyd her selfe to prancke

   More examples (1)

   1748, James Thomson, The Castle of Indolence, B:II And there a Seaſon atween June and May, Half prankt with Spring, with Summer half imbrown'd, A liſtleſs Climate made, where, Sooth to ſay, No living Wight could work, ne cared even for Play.

   Flora, wanton-eyed For birth, and with all flowrets prankt and pied:

5. To make an ostentatious show.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   White houses prank where once were huts.

Noun

1. acting like a clown or buffoon

   Synonyms

   buffooneryclowningjaperyfrivolityharlequinade

   Broader terms

   follyfoolerytomfoolerycrazinesslunacyindulgence

2. a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement

   Synonyms

   anticjoketrickcaperput-on

   Broader terms

   diversionrecreation

Verb

1. dress or decorate showily or gaudily

   Broader terms

   decorateadorngraceornamentembellishbeautify

   Examples

   Roses were pranking the lawn

2. dress up showily

   Broader terms

   overdressdress upfig outfig updeck upgussy upfancy uptrick updeck outtrick outprinkattireget uprig outtog uptog out

   Examples

   He pranked himself out in his best clothes