play around

verb

To behave in a silly, childish, or irresponsible way.

“Stop playing around, and get on with your homework.”

Similar
fool arounddabblesmatter
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbplay around (third-person singular simple present plays around, present participle playing around, simple past and past participle played around)

present singular third person plays around · participle present playing around · participle past played around · past played around

  1. To behave in a silly, childish, or irresponsible way.

    Stop playing around, and get on with your homework.

  2. To work with something in a non-serious manner; to tweak or tinker.

    He was interested in electronics and began playing around with amplifiers.

  3. idiomaticTo engage in sexual practices outside of marriage.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
fool around

verbcommit adultery

Similar
fool around
Broader
cheat oncheatcuckold

verbwork with in an amateurish manner

Similar
dabblesmatter
Broader
busyoccupy
Also see
dabblefool aroundmuck aboutplay aboutsmatter

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

play around. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20around

MLA

“play around.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20around. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “play around,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/play%20around.

Source: play around on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.