Mess around

verb

Spending time doing things without any plan or purpose.

I spent most of the day just messing around on the internet.

Often appears as...

mess around on the internet
mess around in the garden

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

Act in a playful or teasing way.

Stop messing around and get to work.

Often appears as...

mess around at work
mess around in class

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To have a sexual relationship without being in a serious relationship, or to casually dates several people.

He's been messing around with a few different women lately.

Visual representation of "mess around" - to have a sexual relationship without being in a serious relationship, or to casually dates several people

Often appears as...

mess around with someone
mess around after breakup

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

verb

Spending time doing things without any plan or purpose.

I spent most of the day just messing around on the internet.

Often appears as...

mess around on the internet
mess around in the garden

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

Act in a playful or teasing way.

Stop messing around and get to work.

Often appears as...

mess around at work
mess around in class

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To have a sexual relationship without being in a serious relationship, or to casually dates several people.

He's been messing around with a few different women lately.

Often appears as...

mess around with someone
mess around after breakup

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 3

Pro Tip 1/3

Lack of Productivity

Indicates unproductive use of time, often in a relaxed manner.

I could have studied, but I just messed around all afternoon.

Pro Tip 2/3

Leisurely Activity

Used for leisurely activities with no specific goal, just for fun or relaxation.

We were just messing around in the pool, nothing serious.

Pro Tip 3/3

Unstructured Exploration

Can suggest experimenting or exploring something without commitment.

She's messing around with painting, but isn't sure she'll stick with it.

Pro Tip 1/3

Lack of Productivity

Indicates unproductive use of time, often in a relaxed manner.

I could have studied, but I just messed around all afternoon.

Pro Tip 2/3

Leisurely Activity

Used for leisurely activities with no specific goal, just for fun or relaxation.

We were just messing around in the pool, nothing serious.

Pro Tip 3/3

Unstructured Exploration

Can suggest experimenting or exploring something without commitment.

She's messing around with painting, but isn't sure she'll stick with it.

Pro Tip 1/3

Lack of Productivity

Indicates unproductive use of time, often in a relaxed manner.

I could have studied, but I just messed around all afternoon.

Pro Tip 2/3

Leisurely Activity

Used for leisurely activities with no specific goal, just for fun or relaxation.

We were just messing around in the pool, nothing serious.

Pro Tip 3/3

Unstructured Exploration

Can suggest experimenting or exploring something without commitment.

She's messing around with painting, but isn't sure she'll stick with it.

Visual representation of the word "Mess around"

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