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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

larked past tense, larked past tense, larks plural, larks plural, larks singular, larks singular

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Test yourself on “lark” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

Origin: Old English

whim especially in phrase on a whim

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.

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