Prank

Pronunciation

• enPR: prăngk, IPA: /pɹæŋk/
• US enPR: prāngk, IPA: /pɹeɪŋk/
• Rhymes: -æŋk

Origin

From Middle English pranken ("to adorn, arrange one's attire"), probably from Middle Dutch pronken, proncken ("to flaunt, make a show, arrange one's attire"). Cognate with Middle Low German prunken ("to flaunt"), German prunken ("to flaunt"), Danish prunke ("to make a show, prank"). Connected also with German prangen ("to make a show, be resplendent"), Dutch prangen ("to squeeze, press"), Danish pragt ("pomp, splendor"), all from Proto-Germanic *pranganÄ…, *prangijanÄ…, *prag- ("to press, squeeze, thring"), from Proto-Indo-European *brAngh- ("to press, squeeze"). Sense of "mischievous act" from earlier verbal sense of "to be crafty or subtle, set in order, adjust". See also prink, prance.

Full definition of prank

Noun

1. (obsolete) An evil deed; a malicious trick, an act of cruel deception.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.4.2.ii:Hercules, after all his mad pranks upon his wife and children, was perfectly cured by a purge of hellebor, which an Antieyrian administered unto him.
2. A practical joke or mischievous trick.
• ShakespeareHis pranks have been too broad to bear with.
• Sir Walter RaleighThe harpies ... played their accustomed pranks.
3. Pranks may be funny, but remember that some people are aggressive.He pulled a gruesome prank on his sister.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• prankish
• pranksome
• prankster

Verb

1. (transitive) To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously.
• SpenserIn sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank.
• 1748, James Thomson (poet), , B:IIAnd there a SeaÅ¿on atween June and May,Half prankt with Spring, with Summer half imbrown'd,A liÅ¿tleÅ¿s Climate made, where, Sooth to Å¿ay,No living Wight could work, ne cared even for Play.
• 1880 Dante Gabriel Rosetti, For Spring, by Sandro Botticelli, lines 2–3''Flora, wanton-eyed''For birth, and with all flowrets prankt and pied:
2. (intransitive) To make ostentatious show.
• M. ArnoldWhite houses prank where once were huts.
3. (transitive) To perform a practical joke on; to trick.
• 2007, May 13, Karen Crouse, Still Invitation Only, but Jets Widen Door for Camp, “If someone’s pranking me,” Rowlands remembered thinking, “they’re going to great lengths to make it work.”
4. (transitive, slang) To call someone's phone and promptly hang upHey man, prank me when you wanna get picked up.I don't have your number in my phone, can you prank me?

Synonyms

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Full of gambols or tricks.