Fool around — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Fool around

Fool around (verb)

  1. to behave in a way that is not very serious; often, specifically, to spend time idly, aimlessly, or frivolously
  2. to engage in casual sexual activity

Fool around (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior

    "quit fooling around on the jungle gym, or you'll get hurt"

    similar: act up, clown (around), cut up, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), show off, showboat, skylark
    related: carry on, misbehave, roughhouse, caper, cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp, carouse, maffick, revel, roar, wassail

  2. to spend time in aimless activity

    "we fooled around outdoors for a while, then went in to get some work done"

    similar: doodle, fiddle (around), fribble, goof (around), hang about (British), kick around, mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle
    related: dally, dawdle, dillydally, hang (around or out), idle, loaf, loll, lounge, clown (around), horse around, diddle (with), tinker
    near: buckle (down), knuckle down, set (to), settle (down)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fool around

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fool around:

British: hang about
act up, clown (around), cut up, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), show off, showboat, skylark, doodle, fiddle (around), fribble, goof (around), kick around, mess around, play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Related Words for Fool around

carry on, misbehave, roughhouse, caper, cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp, carouse, maffick, revel, roar, wassail, dally, dawdle, dillydally, hang (around or out), idle, loaf, loll, lounge, diddle (with), tinker

Near Antonyms of Fool around

buckle (down), knuckle down, set (to), settle (down)

Word Forms of Fool around

Inflections: fooled around, fooling around, fools around

Origin & Etymology of Fool around

First known use: 1837

Words & Phrases Containing Fool around

fool around with, not fool around

Frequently Asked Questions about Fool around

What does "Fool around" mean?

"Fool around" means to behave in a way that is not very serious; often, specifically, to spend time idly, aimlessly, or frivolously. As a verb, it is defined as: to behave in a way that is not very serious; often, specifically, to spend time idly, aimlessly, or frivolously. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fool around"?

Other words for "Fool around" include act up, clown (around), cut up, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), show off and showboat. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fool around" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fool around"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fool around". Common alternatives include act up, clown (around), cut up, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), show off, showboat, skylark and doodle.

How do you use "Fool around" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fool around" in a sentence: "quit fooling around on the jungle gym, or you'll get hurt"; "we fooled around outdoors for a while, then went in to get some work done".

Is "Fool around" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fool around" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Fool around"?

First known use: 1837.

What is another word for "Fool around" meaning "to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior"?

When "Fool around" (verb) means to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior, synonyms include act up, clown (around), cut up, horse around, hotdog and monkey (around).

What is another word for "Fool around" meaning "to spend time in aimless activity"?

When "Fool around" (verb) means to spend time in aimless activity, synonyms include doodle, fiddle (around), fribble, goof (around), hang about and kick around.