Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “prank” come from?

Prank comes from Middle English pranken, from Middle Dutch pronken, whose original meaning remains unknown.

prank (English): A practical joke or mischievous trick; An evil...

Definitions

  1. A practical joke or mischievous trick; An evil...

Ancestry of “prank”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishprankento prank; to trim; to adorn, arrange one's attire
2Dutchpronkento display, to show off
3Middle Dutchpronkento flaunt

Words derived from “prank”

  • prankster
  • prankish
  • prankishness
  • pranksome
  • pranksterism
  • prankishly
  • prankful
  • pranky
  • pranksterish
  • pranker
  • prankstress
  • pranksteress
  • pranksomeness
  • prankee
Every word from Middle Dutch pronken →