pranky

1 7.7

Shows playful energy and plays small tricks to surprise people

adjective
/ˈpræŋki/

Informal

: travieso

Her pranky ideas always kept her friends laughing during their get-togethers.

And I'm sorry, pranky, then that's all television stuff.

Examples

And I'm sorry, pranky, then that's all television stuff.

Club Shay Shay
The children were feeling pranky and decided to hide behind the bushes to scare their parents.
During the birthday party, Jack's pranky spirit led him to fill the room with balloons while everyone was outside.

Synonyms

cheeky

vspranky

Informal

32 4.8

Being rude in a playful way that shows little respect

is more about playful trick energy rather than impudent boldness

mischievous

vspranky

27 3.5

Causing playful trouble that is not harmful

is more focused on lively pranklike energy rather than general naughtiness

saucy

vspranky

Informal

22 5.8

Being playful and a little rude in a way that teases people

focuses more on pranklike mischief rather than on bold disrespect

devilish

vspranky

16 4.4

Being very naughty in a playful, clever way

shares mischief but suggests sharper boldness rather than light prank energy

corky

vspranky

4 7.0

Lively and slightly odd in a way that makes people smile

shares playfulness but lacks the clear trickish or pranklike focus

roguish

vspranky

3 6.7

Showing playful, friendly mischief

is more energetic and trickfocused rather than simply charming mischief

up to mischief

vspranky

Informal

2 3.9

Doing playful, slightly naughty things that are not serious

is more about energetic pranklike actions rather than just mild trouble

pixilated

vspranky

1 9.3

Playfully naughty and a little odd

is more about clear prank energy rather than odd playful eccentricity

prankish

vspranky

Informal

1 7.5

Being playful and playing small tricks to surprise people

is similar but denotes general mischievous energy including trickiness

larky

vspranky

1 7.4

Playful and silly in a way that makes people laugh

is similar but adds a stronger focus on trickplaying and mischief

scampish

vspranky

1 6.3

Acting playful and slightly naughty, often doing small harmless tricks

emphasizes energetic prank activity more than simply rascal-like charm

up to some devilment

vspranky

9.6

Doing small naughty things for fun

leans more toward lively prank energy rather than general naughty acts

Antonyms

serious

∞ 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

sober

32 4.6

Serious and sensible in behavior or tone

How Mischievous

mischievous

27 3.5

prankish

Informal

1 7.5

pranky

Informal

1 7.7

impish

6 6.1

playful

72 1.6

Surface Forms

pranky positive

Morphology

pranky = prank (transparent) = prank + y

The adjective is a straightforward derivation from the noun 'prank' with the productive suffix '-y' meaning 'having the quality of; inclined to', so learners knowing 'prank' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Pranky comes from the word prank, which means a 'playful trick' or silly joke. Think of someone who prances about to get attention and play tricks — that's why pranky describes a person or animal full of playful mischief.