frolic

American  

[frol-ik] / ˈfrɒl ɪk /

noun

1. merry play; merriment; gaiety; fun.

2. a merrymaking or party.

3. playful behavior or action; prank.

---

verb (used without object)

frolicked, frolicking

1. to gambol merrily; to play in a frisky, light-spirited manner; romp.

   The children were frolicking in the snow.

   Synonyms:

   revel, sport

2. to have fun; engage in merrymaking; play merry pranks.

adjective

1. merry; full of fun.

frolic British  

/ ˈfrɒlɪk /

noun

1. a light-hearted entertainment or occasion

2. light-hearted activity; gaiety; merriment

---

verb

1. (intr) to caper about; act or behave playfully

adjective

1. archaic full of merriment or fun

Other Word Forms

• frolicker noun

Etymology

Origin of frolic

1530–40; < Dutch vrolijk joyful (cognate with German fröhlich ), equivalent to vro glad + -lijk -ly

Example Sentences

Used primarily as an office building, its ornate design, carvings and sculptures — including a ground floor fountain with frolicking bronze youths — hadn’t invited much public attention or appreciation.

From Los Angeles Times

Cruise operators have spent decades cultivating an atmosphere at sea with Broadway musicals, lively casinos and crowds of kids frolicking in pools.

From The Wall Street Journal

The frolicking angels populate concentric bands of other clouds that extend upward.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yuletide frolics are a key part of that strategy.

From BBC

There are spats and hugs, frolics and bonding, and not much thrust to the tale.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cavort
• gambol