play around

Meanings

1. 1verbphrasal verbinformal

   To spend time doing something casually and without a serious purpose, often just for fun.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'with': play around with the settings.

   Patterns

   • play around with something
   • play around on something

   The kids were playing around in the yard all afternoon.

   I like to play around on the guitar after work.

   He played around with the camera settings until the photo looked right.

2. 2verbphrasal verbinformal

   To try different options or ideas in an experimental way to see what works.

   Grammar: Often with 'with': play around with ideas, not 'play around ideas'.

   Patterns

   • play around with something

   Feel free to play around with the layout until you find a design you like.

   We played around with several recipes before choosing this one.

   Designers often play around with color before settling on a theme.

3. 3verbphrasal verbinformaldisapproving

   To behave in a silly or careless way, or to have casual affairs with different partners, which others may disapprove of.

   Grammar: No object: he was accused of playing around, with the second meaning being about unfaithfulness.

   Patterns

   • play around with someone
   • stop playing around

   Stop playing around and finish your homework.

   She found out he had been playing around behind her back.

   Don't play around with matches.

Word forms

Common combinations

play around with ideas

We spent the meeting playing around with ideas for the logo.

play around on the computer

He plays around on the computer when he should be studying.

stop playing around

Stop playing around and get in the car.

just play around

I'm just playing around with the new software.

play around with the settings

Play around with the settings until the sound improves.

Synonyms and how they differ

fool around

Fool around is also informal but leans more toward being silly or wasting time, while play around is often neutral and experimental.

experiment

Experiment is more serious and deliberate, whereas play around suggests a relaxed trial-and-error approach.

mess around

Mess around suggests wasting time or being careless, while play around can be a pleasant exploration.

tinker

Tinker suggests careful small adjustments to a machine, while play around is looser and covers any activity.

Opposites

Word family

play verb

to take part in games or fun activity

playful adjective

fond of fun and games

player noun

a person who plays

plaything noun

a toy or something treated casually

Commonly confused: play around or play along?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “play around”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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