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noun

practical joke

PRAK-tuh-kul JOHK
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Practical joke (noun) means a trick played on someone to make them look foolish and to amuse everyone else, carried out through actions or objects rather than words. Example: “Filling his desk drawer with packing peanuts was the oldest practical joke in the office.”

noun
1
A trick played on someone to make them look foolish and to amuse everyone else, carried out through actions or objects rather than words.
"Filling his desk drawer with packing peanuts was the oldest practical joke in the office."
"She never forgave him for the practical joke with the fake parking ticket."

How to use practical joke

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA trick you play on someone for a laugh.

When to use it

Neutral and usable in any context, including news reports and legal writing.

Memory tip

You play a practical joke on someone — never "to" someone.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
prank → hoax → wind-up →
Common pairings
play a practical joke on someone an elaborate practical joke the victim of a practical joke a harmless practical joke
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Filling his desk drawer with packing peanuts was the oldest _____ in the office.

Etymology

So called because the joke is carried out in practice — in deed rather than in speech — as opposed to a spoken joke.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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prank trick gag hoax stunt

Related words

john chance lie develop joke laugh fox trick

Rhymes for practical joke

woke coke poke joke toke yoke hoke broke spoke smoke bloke stoke
See all rhymes for practical joke →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a practical joke and a prank?
In everyday use they mean the same thing, and most people use "prank" simply because it is shorter. "Practical joke" is slightly more formal and tends to suggest something planned and staged, while "prank" can cover anything from a quick tease to an elaborate set-up.
When does a practical joke stop being funny?
The usual test is whether the target can laugh along afterwards. Once a joke causes real fear, injury, humiliation in front of strangers, or costs someone money, it is generally treated as bullying or harassment rather than humour, and in some cases it can be a criminal offence.
Why is it called a practical joke if it is not practical?
Here "practical" carries its older sense of "relating to action" rather than "useful". The joke is performed in practice instead of merely being told.
What is the meaning of practical joke?
"practical joke" (noun) means a trick played on someone to make them look foolish and to amuse everyone else, carried out through actions or objects rather than words.

Example sentences

Real-world examples showing practical joke in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

What separates a practical joke from a spoken one is that the target has to do something — open the drawer, answer the phone — before the joke can land.
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