Prankster: meaning, definitions and examples

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prankster

 

[ ˈpræŋkstər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

funny

A person who plays practical jokes on others, typically for amusement and entertainment.

Synonyms

hoaxer, joker, trickster.

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Word Description / Examples
prankster

Same as above: Used to describe someone who plays practical jokes and light-hearted, usually harmless, tricks. It often implies a playful and mischievous personality.

  • During the office party, Tim, the well-known prankster, replaced all the pens with crayons
trickster

Describes someone who deceives or cheats people, often in a cunning or clever manner. This term can have both a mischievous and a negative connotation depending on the intent.

  • In many folktales, the trickster character outwits other characters, sometimes causing trouble but often teaching a lesson
joker

This term is often used for someone who tells jokes or makes funny remarks. It is typically considered light-hearted and good-natured.

  • Everyone loves sitting near Jane during meetings because she's a joker and keeps the mood light with her humor
hoaxer

Refers to someone who deliberately deceives others, often creating a false story or situation. This term tends to have a negative connotation due to the intent to mislead.

  • The hoaxer sent an email claiming that the CEO was resigning, which caused a brief panic in the company

Examples of usage

  • The prankster hid whoopee cushions under all the chairs in the classroom.
  • The prankster put fake spiders in his friend's bed.

Translations

Translations of the word "prankster" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brincalhão

🇮🇳 शरारती

🇩🇪 Streichmacher

🇮🇩 pengusil

🇺🇦 жартівник

🇵🇱 żartowniś

🇯🇵 いたずら者

🇫🇷 farceur

🇪🇸 bromista

🇹🇷 şakacı

🇰🇷 장난꾸러기

🇸🇦 ممازح

🇨🇿 šprýmař

🇸🇰 vtipkár

🇨🇳 恶作剧者

🇸🇮 šaljivec

🇮🇸 grínisti

🇰🇿 әзілқой

🇬🇪 ხუმარა

🇦🇿 zarafatçı

🇲🇽 bromista

Etymology

The word 'prankster' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'prank' (a practical joke or mischievous act) with the agent suffix '-ster'. It is commonly used to describe someone who enjoys playing tricks or jokes on others in a light-hearted manner.

See also: prank, prankish, prankishness, pranks.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,543, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.