Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
mess around. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
mess around, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
mess around in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
mess around you have here. The definition of the word
mess around will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
mess around, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Verb
mess around (third-person singular simple present messes around, present participle messing around, simple past and past participle messed around)
- (informal) To fiddle idly.
- The kids sat there messing around with leaves and blades of grass because they were bored.
- These guys don't mess around! They finished the whole job in ten minutes.
- (informal) To joke, kid, or play.
- Hey, don't take it personally. I was only messing around.
- Don't mess around with electricity if you don't understand it.
- (informal) To have a sexual relationship, especially one which is non-commital.
2016, Lucy Dacus (lyrics and music), “Troublemaker Doppelgänger”, in No Burden, Matador Records:She grew up as the pretty young thing / Let them look up her skirt on the backyard swing, oh no / And Daddy told you to stay indoors / And I can understand how a girl gets bored / Too old to play and too young to mess around
- Rumor has it that he's messing around with his secretary.
Synonyms
Translations
To fiddle idly, to waste time
See also