| / English Dictionary |
PRANK
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
Synonyms:
antic; caper; joke; prank; put-on; trick
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("prank" is a kind of...):
diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prank"):
dirty trick (an unkind or aggressive trick)
practical joke (a prank or trick played on a person (especially one intended to make the victim appear foolish))
Derivation:
prankster (someone who plays practical jokes on others)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Acting like a clown or buffoon
Synonyms:
buffoonery; clowning; frivolity; harlequinade; japery; prank
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("prank" is a kind of...):
craziness; folly; foolery; indulgence; lunacy; tomfoolery (foolish or senseless behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prank"):
schtick; schtik; shtick; shtik ((Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Dress up showily
Example:
He pranked himself out in his best clothes
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "prank" is one way to...):
attire; deck out; deck up; dress up; fancy up; fig out; fig up; get up; gussy up; overdress; prink; rig out; tog out; tog up; trick out; trick up (put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sense 2
Meaning:
Dress or decorate showily or gaudily
Example:
Roses were pranking the lawn
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "prank" is one way to...):
adorn; beautify; decorate; embellish; grace; ornament (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Context examples:
"No, I won't!" returned Jo stoutly, feeling much relieved that her prank was not entirely condemned.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She obediently descended, and made as light of the prank as she could without betraying Meg or forgetting the truth.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white pique dress clean and chattering with the ubiquitous Fred, who kept Beth in constant terror by his pranks.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She never alluded to a certain person, but she thought of him a good deal, dreamed dreams more than ever, and once Jo, rummaging her sister's desk for stamps, found a bit of paper scribbled over with the words, 'Mrs. John Brooke', whereat she groaned tragically and cast it into the fire, feeling that Laurie's prank had hastened the evil day for her.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Not a prank.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
There might have been cause for maternal anxiety, if Demi had not given convincing proofs that he was a true boy, as well as a budding philosopher, for often, after a discussion which caused Hannah to prophesy, with ominous nods, That child ain't long for this world, he would turn about and set her fears at rest by some of the pranks with which dear, dirty, naughty little rascals distract and delight their parent's souls.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
For Jo sat on the grass, with an encampment of boys about her, and a dirty-footed dog reposing on the skirt of her state and festival dress, as she related one of Laurie's pranks to her admiring audience.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
But as high spirits and the love of fun were the causes of these pranks, he always managed to save himself by frank confession, honorable atonement, or the irresistible power of persuasion which he possessed in perfection.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
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