prank Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun acting like a clown or buffoon
    japery; harlequinade; clowning; frivolity; buffoonery.
  2. noun a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
    caper; joke; trick; antic; put-on.
  3. verb dress or decorate showily or gaudily
    • Roses were pranking the lawn
  4. verb dress up showily
    • He pranked himself out in his best clothes

WordNet

Prank transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. E. prink, also G. prangen, prunken, to shine, to make a show, Dan. prange, prunke, Sw. prunka, D. pronken.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Pranked ; present participle & verbal noun Pranking
Definitions
  1. To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously; -- often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See Prink.
    In sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank. Spenser.
Prank intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make ostentatious show.
    White houses prank where once were huts. M. Arnold.
Prank noun
Definitions
  1. A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous trick; a caper; a frolic. Spenser.
    The harpies . . . played their accustomed pranks. Sir W. Raleigh.
    His pranks have been too broad to bear with. Shak.
Prank adjective
Definitions
  1. Full of gambols or tricks. Obs.

Webster 1913