lark
lahk
Lark (noun) means a small songbird known for its cheerful singing, often heard early in the morning. Example: “A lark sang high above the meadow at dawn.”
noun
1
A small songbird known for its cheerful singing, often heard early in the morning.
"A lark sang high above the meadow at dawn."
2
A harmless prank or bit of fun.
"Dressing up as ghosts was just a lark for the kids."
"They stole the traffic cone for a lark, then put it back."
verb
1
To have fun or act mischievously, often in the phrase "lark about."
"The boys were larking about near the riverbank."
How to use lark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the small singing bird, or a bit of harmless fun/mischief.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the noun "a lark" (fun) with the phrase "up with the lark," which just means waking up early.
Common pairings
lark about
just for a lark
up with the lark
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lark.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- larks
- Third person singular
- larks
- Past tense
- larked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ sang high above the meadow at dawn.
Etymology
From Old English lāwerce, referring to the bird — the sense of "prank" developed much later and its origin is uncertain.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for lark
See all rhymes for lark →Frequently asked questions
What does “lark” mean?
The word “lark” means a small songbird known for its cheerful singing, often heard early in the morning. In plain terms, either the small singing bird, or a bit of harmless fun/mischief.
How do you pronounce “lark”?
“Lark” is pronounced lahk (/lɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lark” in a sentence?
Here is “lark” used in a sentence: “A lark sang high above the meadow at dawn.”
What is another word for “lark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lark” include whim and especially in phrase on a whim.
What part of speech is “lark”?
Depending on how it is used, “lark” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lark” come from?
The word “lark” comes from Old English. From Old English lāwerce, referring to the bird — the sense of "prank" developed much later and its origin is uncertain.
Is “lark” a common word?
“Lark” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lark” have?
“Lark” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small songbird known for its cheerful singing, often heard early in the morning.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include lark:
