lark

1 of 3

noun (1)

: 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

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
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.
Noun
This all might be a campaign lark, particularly given Musk's fuzziness on the math, but at some point the multi-company CEO will be stretched too thin. Dan Primack, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 But Nadja’s job at Cannon Capital is less an anthropological lark than a sign of her own evolving character. Katie Rife, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
Before proceedings got under way Fallon was seen larking around at the front of the audience hall, before quickly being told to get to his seat as the pope was about to walk through the door. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for lark 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lark was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lark

Cite this Entry

“Lark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lark. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lark

1 of 2 noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on lark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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