noun

prankster

PRANGKS-tuh

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Prankster (noun) means someone who enjoys playing pranks on people. Example: “The office prankster had rigged every stapler to jam on Monday morning.”

noun

Someone who enjoys playing pranks on people.

"The office prankster had rigged every stapler to jam on Monday morning."

"As the family prankster, she could never resist a good April Fools' joke."

"He was the office prankster, always hiding someone's stapler."

"The famous prankster once convinced his whole town a UFO had landed."

How to use prankster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person who loves pulling pranks and playful tricks on others.

Common pairings

notorious prankster a known prankster

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: pranksters

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The office _____ had rigged every stapler to jam on Monday morning.

Etymology

Formed from "prank" plus the agent suffix "-ster," as in "gangster" or "trickster."

Synonyms

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joker trickster practical joker jokester wag mischief-maker jester hoaxer tricker

Related words

card joke turkey shake fool cheat comedian liar

Frequently asked questions

What is a prankster?

A prankster is a person who enjoys playing pranks and practical jokes on others, especially one who does so often and with obvious enjoyment. The word is usually affectionate rather than insulting.

Is "prankster" a positive or negative word?

It is usually positive or neutral, describing someone fun-loving and playful. It only takes on a negative tone if the person's pranks are unkind or go too far.

What is another word for a prankster?

Common synonyms include joker, trickster, practical joker, jokester, wag and mischief-maker.

Where does the word "prankster" come from?

It is formed from the word "prank" plus the suffix "-ster" (meaning a person who does something, as in "trickster"). It is usually dated to the early 20th century in American English (around 1927), though the Oxford English Dictionary records an earlier use from 1811.

Example sentences

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

A prankster is judged less on how elaborate the setup is than on whether the target ends up laughing.

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