noun / verb
caper
KAY-per/ˈkeɪpər/
A playful, lively escapade.
Her office caper involves wrapping a colleague's furniture like presents.
Etymology
Caper apparently comes from capriole, “to leap or skip.” The noun shifted from a playful jump to a sportive action, then to a prank or crime.
In context
it's just a caper gone bad. He wanted your swipe card, and then I took it, but then I didn't give it to him
More examples
- The film follows a daring museum caper.
- Lambs caper across the spring pasture.
- The children perform little capers around the garden.
Forms
caper · capers · capered · capering
Similar words
- escapade
- An adventurous or mischievous episode without the leaping sense.
- frolic
- Emphasizes lighthearted play rather than a planned crime.