lark

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈlärk 

: any of a family (Alaudidae) of chiefly Old World ground-dwelling songbirds that are usually brownish in color

especially : skylark compare meadowlark

lark

2 of 3

noun (2)

: a source of or quest for amusement or adventure

thought life was a lark

entered the race on a lark

lark

3 of 3

verb

larked; larking; larks

intransitive verb

: to engage in harmless fun or mischief

—often used with about

larker noun

Synonyms of lark

Noun (2)

• spree

Verb

• dance
• leap
• caper
• hop
• romp
• gambol
• frolic
• cavort
• sport
• tumble
• rollick
• skip
• frisk

Examples of lark in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the kids will have a grand lark at the carnival

Verb

we would rather lark about in the summer than get part-time jobs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Feeling slightly out of place amid this crowd is Annie, here on a lark to appease her sister. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 19 June 2026

That includes a bird-calling scene that sees the duo strolling through the forest and offering up their own spin on the calls of thrushes and larks. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 June 2026

Verb

The Reting Rinpoche dispatched a search team of high lamas, who soon heard about a precocious 2-year-old who enjoyed larking inside chicken coops but also frequently spoke yearningly about making a long journey to Lhasa. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026

And it was discovered by accident, when Delap and a few team-mates were larking about in training. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English laveroc, laverke, from Old English lāwerce; akin to Old High German lērihha lark

Verb and Noun (2)

probably alteration of lake to frolic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lark

• for a lark
• horned lark
• lark about/around
• on/as a lark

Rhymes for lark

• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• dark
• hark
• marc
• mark
• marque
• narc
• quark
• shark

Kids Definition

lark

1 of 2 noun

ˈlärk 

: any of numerous Old World singing birds that are usually brownish in color and live on the ground

especially : skylark entry 1 compare meadowlark

lark

2 of 2 noun

: something done for fun or adventure

lark verb