What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hoax
Example
The news about the alien invasion turned out to be a hoax. [hoax: noun]
Example
He hoaxed his friends by pretending to be someone else on social media. [hoaxed: verb]
prank
Example
She played a prank on her brother by putting salt in his coffee instead of sugar. [prank: noun]
Example
He pranked his coworkers by putting googly eyes on all their office supplies. [pranked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prank is more commonly used than hoax in everyday language. Prank is a common word that is used to describe playful and humorous actions, while hoax is less common and is often reserved for more serious situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hoax and prank?
Hoax is a more formal word than prank. It is often used in serious contexts such as news articles or legal documents. Prank, on the other hand, is a more informal word that is used in casual conversations and social situations.
