practical joke

noun

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

practical joker noun

Synonyms of practical joke

• prank
• trick
• experience
• adventure

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

As trade envoy, Andrew became known for practical jokes and off-color remarks, which British diplomats had to tolerate because of his titles. —Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026

Everything about Groundhog Day sounds like a practical joke. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Feb. 2026

Release: All three episodes available on premiere day Where to watch: Netflix Stars: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman A practical joke leads to a mysterious death at a 1925 country-house party in this Agatha Christie adaptation written by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. —James Grebey, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025

At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for practical joke

• artichoke
• nanticoke
• womenfolk
• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk

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