One syllable: Prank.
prangk
/pɹæŋk/
Prank is pronounced prangk (/pɹæŋk/). It has one syllable (Prank), with the stress on "Prank". As a noun, a noun meaning a mischievous act intended to amuse or embarrass another person, often playful rather than malicious. In everyday use, it refers to a trick or joke carried out to elicit laughter, surprise, or disbelief, sometimes with social consequences. It can describe both the act and the resulting outcome or behavior.
nounA noun meaning a mischievous act intended to amuse or embarrass another person, often playful rather than malicious. In everyday use, it refers to a trick or joke carried out to elicit laughter, surprise, or disbelief, sometimes with social consequences. It can describe both the act and the resulting outcome or behavior.
- You may substitute the short /æ/ with a broader /a/ or /ɐ/ in some dialects, making it sound less crisp. Try to keep it focused and short. - Some speakers insert an extra vowel between /p/ and /r/ or soften the /p/ release, creating /pr-æŋk/ or /pɹæŋk/; aim for a rapid, clean /p/ release and immediate /r/ onset. - The /ŋ/ can be misplaced as /n/ or omitted; ensure the velar nasal is fully pronounced before the /k/.
"- The office prank had everyone laughing after the fake meeting invitation went out."
"- He pulled a prank on his friend by swapping the sugar with salt."
"- A harmless prank can break the ice at a party, as long as no one gets hurt."
Pronounce as /præŋk/. It’s a single syllable with initial /p/ followed by the short, front vowel /æ/ as in 'cat', then the velar nasal /ŋ/ as in 'sing', and ending with /k/. The tip is to release a clean /p/ then move directly into a short /æ/ before the velar nasal and final /k/. You’ll hear this in native speech as a tight, quick syllable. If you need audio, listen to pronunciation resources linked to standard phonemes.
Common errors include turning /æ/ into a more open /a/ as in 'father' or inserting an extra vowel between /p/ and /r/, creating /præ…ŋk/ or /præ-ŋk/. A frequent slip is delaying the /ŋ/ or mispronouncing the final /k/ as /g/. To correct: produce a crisp /p/ release, keep the /æ/ short and lax, glide quickly into /ŋ/ with a clean nasal stop, and finish with a sharp /k/. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the sequence.
In US/UK/AU, the word remains rhotic on the whole vowel of the nucleus, but the exact vowel length and quality may vary slightly. US tends to have a slightly tenser /æ/ sound while UK may glide toward a more centralized /a/ in some speakers. The final /k/ is unreleased in casual speech in some contexts, particularly before a pause. Australians may have a slightly rounded or backed quality depending on regional influence, but the core /præŋk/ sequence stays intact.
The challenge lies in the rapid, tightly linked consonant cluster /pr-ŋk/ and the short, lax /æ/ vowel, which requires precise tongue position and quick coordination to avoid inserting a schwa or changing the nasal place. Maintaining a clean stop after /p/ and a precise nasal onset for /ŋ/ can be tricky for non-native speakers. Also, ensuring the final /k/ is not released as a fricative helps keep the word crisp.
Yes. The 'pr' onset is a consonant cluster that benefits from a brief, almost simultaneous release of /p/ and the onset of /r/. Some speakers may produce a stronger /r/ coloring or slight vowel reduction in connected speech. Emphasize the /æ/ as a short, open vowel, and avoid merging with an /ə/ sound. A practical nuance: practice saying /p/ with a quick puff, then immediately move into /ræŋk/, keeping the jaw relaxed and tongue forward.
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- US: /pɹæŋk/ with rhotic influence, slight vowel clarity; keep /ɹ/ light and quickly adjacent to /æ/. - UK: /præŋk/ with tighter, more clipped vowel; ensure non-rhoticity does not distort the /r/; practice with a short, crisp /p/ release. - AU: /præŋk/ with slightly more centralized vowel in some regions; keep jaw relaxed and avoid extra lip rounding; ensure the final /k/ is not aspirated too aggressively.
Prank comes from Middle English pranken, meaning to perform a trick or deceive, derived from Old French espronger (to mock or jape) and earlier from Frankish or Germanic roots implying sport or merriment. The modern sense centers on a playful deception or trick performed to amuse, often in social settings. The word’s usage intensified in the 18th and 19th centuries as social pranksterism, vaudeville, and later school-age practical jokes popularized the term. The lexical timeline shows a shift from general “playful action” to a specific act intended to provoke laughter or surprise, frequently without lasting harm. First known uses appear in early English texts describing humorous tricks among groups, evolving through satirical literature and then into contemporary slang where “prank” is a commonplace noun for a planned trick.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Prank" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Prank" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Prank" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Prank"
-ank sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
