What does prink mean?
Prink is an informal verb meaning to dress oneself up in a conspicuously elaborate or showy manner. It is especially associated with British English, where it often implies that someone is making too much of an occasion or seeking attention. A person might prink themselves out in an ornate outfit, adorn themselves with theatrical accessories, or simply prink about before an event. The word also has an older and more regional sense meaning to prank, deceive, or play a trick, although that sense is less prominent in contemporary use. Although prink can be admiring when referring to someone who enjoys elaborate self-presentation, it is more commonly mildly disparaging or humorous. It is useful as a vivid alternative to the more neutral expressions dress up and adorn oneself, because it specifically conveys conspicuousness, flamboyance, and sometimes pretension.
verbTo dress oneself up, especially in an elaborate, showy, or ostentatious manner. In an older or more regional sense, it can also mean to prank or deceive.
- To dress oneself up in an elaborate, showy, or ostentatious manner.
- To prank or deceive, chiefly in older or regional usage.
"She prinked herself out in a sequined dress before the concert."
"She prinked herself out in a sequined dress before the concert."
"The boys prinked the shopkeeper with a loud surprise."
Prink is the ideal word for someone who treats every ordinary occasion like a grand entrance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prink come from?
The familiar sense of prink, meaning to dress oneself in a showy fashion, appeared in early nineteenth-century English. The word also has an older English and regional sense meaning to prank or deceive. Its precise historical relationship to prank is somewhat obscure, but the two words belong to the same broad etymological family.
Related word forms
How prink is actually used
The word is informal and often carries a mildly comic or critical tone, suggesting excessive self-display rather than simply dressing well.
Easily confused with prink
A prank is a practical joke or act of deception, whereas to prink most commonly means to dress oneself in a conspicuously showy way.