prank

Word family

• prankster
  nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A prank is a playful trick aimed at a person, usually to surprise or embarrass them without real harm. Practical joke is the closest synonym and often sounds a little more planned or traditional. Trick is broader: it can mean a clever action, but it can also describe cheating or serious deception, so it is not always funny. Gag is more informal and often suggests a quick comic bit rather than a carefully prepared setup. Stunt usually focuses on attracting attention, not on fooling one target for laughs. You can play a prank on your brother by hiding his shoes, but a stunt is more like doing something wild in public for a reaction.

Common collocations

Etymology

Prank is an old English word with Germanic connections. Earlier English uses of the verb referred to showing off, dressing up, or moving proudly, probably related to words in Dutch or Low German about display. Later, the meaning moved toward playful mischief, and from that change the modern noun and verb developed.