Definition

Noun: * A person who enjoys or habitually plays tricks on others, often physical or elaborate in nature, intended to surprise, confuse, or amuse, sometimes at the target's expense. A practical joker is someone who devises and executes practical jokes.

Usage

The term "practical joker" is used to describe a person's character or habitual behavior. It often carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation, implying the person finds humor in others' momentary discomfort or surprise. It is typically used in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Be careful with your coffee around Mark; he's a notorious practical joker and might replace the sugar with salt.
  • The office practical joker filled the manager's office with balloons.
  • She didn't mean any harm; she's just a bit of a practical joker.

Advanced Usage

• "An inveterate practical joker": Emphasizes that the person is a long-established or habitual joker.
  • My uncle, an inveterate practical joker, once convinced us he had won the lottery.

Variants and Related Words

• Practical joke (n): The trick or prank itself that a practical joker performs.
  • Putting a whoopee cushion on someone's chair is a classic practical joke.
• Prankster (n): A very close synonym for practical joker, often used interchangeably.
• Joker (n): Can mean a person who jokes, but is more general and can also refer to a playing card or a foolish person. "Practical joker" is more specific.

Synonyms

• Prankster: Someone who plays tricks or pranks.
• Trickster: Someone who deceives or plays tricks.
• Jester (archaic/figurative): A person given to witty jesting; a clown.

Related Idioms & Phrases

• To have a reputation as a practical joker: To be widely known for playing tricks.
  • He had a reputation as a practical joker, so nobody believed his story at first.
• The work of a practical joker: Used to describe a situation that appears to be a trick.
  • The missing keyboard keys looked like the work of a practical joker.

Noun

1. someone who plays practical jokes on others