From giggles to mischief: dissecting "prank" vs. "joke"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 05/10/2024, 22:39

English.me team member

What is similar?

Both "prank" and "joke" involve humor and are intended to amuse people. They both can be part of entertainment or social interactions aimed at causing laughter or amusement.

What is different?

A "prank" is typically an action or trick played on someone, often involving some form of deception or mischief. It is usually done at someone else's expense. A "joke", on the other hand, is primarily verbal or written and involves storytelling, wordplay, or a punchline designed to be funny, often without targeting someone.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Prank

They planned a prank on their friend by filling his room with balloons.
The prank went viral, catching the attention of millions online.
He wasn't angry about the prank, but he vowed to get them back.

Joke

He told a joke that made the entire room burst into laughter.
The comedian's joke about growing up in the city was particularly relatable.
She often jokes about her cooking skills, saying she could burn water.