Prankish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having a playful and mischievous nature that delights in light-hearted tricks and antics to evoke amusement
2. Describing a whimsical disposition inclined towards playful mischief and entertaining pranks that bring joy
3. Displaying a tendency to engage in light-hearted practical jokes and amusing antics

Etymology: "Prankish" is a plain formation: the noun "prank" with the suffix "-ish" attached, meaning "having the character of" or "somewhat like" the noun. The suffix "-ish" has a long pedigree. It descends from an ancient Germanic ending that once formed adjectives meaning "of the people or kind of," and it passed into Old English as "-isc" (seen in words like "Englisc," the source of "English"). Over the centuries it spread from nationalities and peoples to ordinary descriptive uses, so that today it can make adjectives from almost any noun, as in "childish" or "bookish." Because "-ish" attaches so freely, "prankish" needed no special coinage: once "prank" was established as a noun for a mischievous trick, speakers could describe a person or behaviour as "prankish" whenever it resembled one. The result is a word whose meaning is almost entirely transparent from its parts.

Synonyms: mischievous, playful, jocular, saucy, waggish

Antonyms: serious, solemn, grave, earnest, sincere