What does prank mean?
A prank is a joke, deception, or act of playful mischief directed at another person. The word can refer to the joke itself, as in “The class was filled with laughter after the prank,” or to the act of fooling someone, as in “They pranked their friend with a fake phone call.” Its usual connotations are humorous, mischievous, and generally harmless, though a prank can be cruel, offensive, or intended to cause distress. “Prank” is common in everyday British and American English and appears in expressions such as “play a prank on someone” and “prank call.” The related forms “prankster,” for someone who plays pranks, and “prankish,” for behaviour that is mischievous or playful, show the word’s association with teasing and amusement.
A playful joke or deception intended to amuse or surprise someone, usually without serious harmful intent.
"The elaborate prank involved a room filled with balloons."
The word can also describe a cruel or distressing trick, so context determines whether the sense is benign or negative.
To deceive or fool someone in a playful way, usually as a joke.
"They pranked their sister by pretending her favorite show had been cancelled."
Usually used with a person or group as the object, especially in the form “prank someone.”
The usual plural is “pranks.”
"The group has planned several pranks for the school talent show."
The word “prank” carries a strong sense of playful mischief: the intent is usually to amuse, even when the joke is elaborate or embarrassing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prank come from?
The modern English noun and verb descend from Middle English forms such as “prank” and “pranken,” which were associated with deception or trickery. The precise origin of the word is uncertain, and claims that it directly continues a particular foreign form are not firmly established. Over time, its sense developed toward the modern emphasis on playful deception rather than any deception whatsoever.
Related word forms
How prank is actually used
As a noun, “prank” usually suggests a humorous or harmless deception, although it can also refer to a cruel or distressing trick. As a verb, “prank” is generally transitive and takes “someone” as its object: “They pranked him.” In British English, the term may sound slightly more informal than in American English, but it is widely understood in both varieties.