Lark
n.joyful, energeticplayful
What it means
A carefree outing or playful undertaking pursued chiefly for enjoyment.
Reach for it when naming a spontaneous adventure whose low stakes are part of its charm
The friends took the ferry on a lark and discovered a quiet island market.
Choose between these
6- playful
escapade
a lively episode includes mild mischief
not when Escapade can suggest questionable behavior that a harmless lark does not.
- playful
romp
boisterous fun or easy enjoyment sets the tone
not when Romp may describe physical play or an easy victory rather than an outing.
- everyday
a short pleasure trip is the whole event
not when Jaunt specifically involves travel and need not be spontaneous.
- warm
novel experience and discovery matter more than risk
not when An adventure may be demanding or purposeful, unlike the carefree impulse behind a lark.
- literary
caper
a spirited exploit has a comic edge
not when Caper often hints at trickery or crime and can mischaracterize innocent fun.
- literary
lighthearted playfulness deserves a buoyant word
not when Frolic stresses playful movement, not the improvised undertaking itself.
Said against
3- chore
- ordeal
- duty
It naturally appears in
3- on a lark
On a lark, they entered the village baking contest together.
- summer lark
Their summer lark became a treasured annual canoe trip.
- harmless lark
The costume photograph was a harmless lark after the final rehearsal.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun, amusing adventure or escapade sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.