Fool around
phrasal verb
To spend time doing nothing important or just having fun.
We spent the whole day fooling around in the park.
Often appears as...
- fool around in the park
- fool around with friends
phrasal verb
To have a sexual relationship especially when fleeting or not serious.
His wife found out he had been fooling around with his secretary.
Often appears as...
- fool around with someone
- caught fooling around
Usage tips
Disapproving
General,Colloquial
phrasal verb
To behave or act in a silly, joking, or irresponsible way.
Stop fooling around and focus on your homework!
Often appears as...
- fool around in class
- kids fooling around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
phrasal verb
To spend time doing nothing important or just having fun.
We spent the whole day fooling around in the park.
Often appears as...
- fool around in the park
- fool around with friends
phrasal verb
To have a sexual relationship especially when fleeting or not serious.
His wife found out he had been fooling around with his secretary.
Often appears as...
- fool around with someone
- caught fooling around
Usage tips
Disapproving
General,Colloquial
phrasal verb
To behave or act in a silly, joking, or irresponsible way.
Stop fooling around and focus on your homework!
Often appears as...
- fool around in class
- kids fooling around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Usage
This expression is casual, best used in relaxed or friendly environments.
They were fooling around in the park, laughing and playing tag.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Wasting Time
Be careful not to imply someone is wasting time, as the phrase can be seen neutrally or negatively based on context.
Since they finished their work, they earned some time to fool around.
Pro Tip 3/3No Serious Activity
Use it when activities lack a serious purpose or goal.
After studying, fooling around with a video game can be relaxing.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Usage
This expression is casual, best used in relaxed or friendly environments.
They were fooling around in the park, laughing and playing tag.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Wasting Time
Be careful not to imply someone is wasting time, as the phrase can be seen neutrally or negatively based on context.
Since they finished their work, they earned some time to fool around.
Pro Tip 3/3No Serious Activity
Use it when activities lack a serious purpose or goal.
After studying, fooling around with a video game can be relaxing.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Usage
This expression is casual, best used in relaxed or friendly environments.
They were fooling around in the park, laughing and playing tag.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Wasting Time
Be careful not to imply someone is wasting time, as the phrase can be seen neutrally or negatively based on context.
Since they finished their work, they earned some time to fool around.
Pro Tip 3/3No Serious Activity
Use it when activities lack a serious purpose or goal.
After studying, fooling around with a video game can be relaxing.
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