practical joke

noun

: a prank intended to trick or embarrass someone or cause physical discomfort
practical joker noun

Examples of practical joke in a Sentence

One of the children filled the sugar bowl with salt as a practical joke. friends had left the risqué message on his voice mail as a practical joke
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The unofficial holiday encourages pulling light-hearted pranks, practical jokes, hoaxes or hijinks on others. David Wysong, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 And thus Hayes' rival is Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris), a young driver in his first season who sees no reason to trust a driver whose arrival in his team mid-season seems more like a practical joke. ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025 They got engaged on April Fool’s Day Matheson and Spencer got engaged on April 1, with a proposal that doubled as a practical joke. Avalon Hester, People.com, 26 June 2025 Kind, 68, reflected on one of his friend’s practical jokes on the June 9 episode of the Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko. Victoria Edel, People.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for practical joke

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of practical joke was in 1776

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Cite this Entry

“Practical joke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practical%20joke. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

practical joke

noun
: a joke involving something that is done rather than said
especially : a trick played on a person
practical joker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on practical joke

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