Meaning & use
frolicks
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“frolicks” is a form of “frolic”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Plays and moves about in a happy, lively way.
Grammar: No object; often used of children or animals, and often followed by 'in', 'on', or 'around'.
Patterns
- frolic in something
- frolic on something
- frolic around
The puppies frolicks in the garden every morning.
Children frolicks on the beach when the tide goes out.
A pair of dolphins frolicks near the boat.
verbintransitiveliterary
Spends time in a light, playful, and often slightly careless way.
Grammar: No object; often used with 'about' or 'around' and can suggest wasting time.
Patterns
- frolic about
- frolic around
They frolicks about the town instead of studying.
He frolicks around all summer and works hard in the fall.
Word forms
| base form | frolic |
|---|---|
| third person singular | frolics |
| past tense | frolicked |
| past participle | frolicked |
| -ing form | frolicking |
| plural noun | frolics |
Common combinations
- frolic in the water
- The children frolic in the water until sunset.
- frolic on the grass
- Lambs frolic on the grass in early spring.
- frolic about
- The kittens frolic about the room all afternoon.
- frolic with friends
- She loves to frolic with friends at the lake.
Synonyms and how they differ
- romp
- Romp is similar but often suggests rougher, noisier play, especially by children or animals.
- play
- Play is the general word and does not necessarily suggest lively, happy movement.
- cavort
- Cavort is more literary and often suggests excited jumping around.
Opposites
Word family
- frolic noun
- A happy, lively occasion or period of play.
- frolicsome adjective
- Lively and playful in manner.
Commonly confused: frolicks or frolics?
frolicks vs frolics
'Frolics' can be the third-person singular verb or the plural noun; 'frolic' is the base form and the singular noun.
Practice
Choose the correct form: 'Every summer, the children ___ in the lake near their house.'
Choose one answer.
With the plural subject 'children' in the present tense, use the base form 'frolic'. 'Frolicks' is third-person singular, 'frolicking' needs a helping verb, and 'frolicked' is past tense, which does not match 'every summer'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “frolicks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.