high jinks

American  

[hahy-jingks] / ˈhaɪˌdʒɪŋks /

Or hijinks

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. boisterous celebration or merrymaking; unrestrained fun.

   The city is full of conventioneers indulging in their usual high jinks.

   Synonyms:

   horseplay

---

high jinks British  

/ ˈhaɪˌdʒɪŋks /

noun

1. lively enjoyment

---

high jinks Idioms  

1. Playful or rowdy activity, often involving mischievous pranks. For example, All sorts of high jinks go on at summer camp after “lights out.” About 1700 this term denoted a gambling game accompanied by much drinking, but by the mid-1800s it acquired its present meaning.

---

Etymology

Origin of high jinks

First recorded in 1760–70; jink

Example Sentences

The “Sonic” and “Minecraft” films did their duty by hiring pretty good comedy writers to connect the gaming high jinks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

It makes for a strange tone throughout the film, that the congregation is so horrified by kids who are clearly hungry and fending for themselves, so it’s hard to laugh at their high jinks.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

“Ain’t Got No Home,” which reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Henry’s signature hit and definitively captured his humor and his vocal high jinks.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

“Ain’t Got No Home,” which reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, became Mr. Henry’s signature hit and definitively captured his humor and his vocal high jinks.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2024

He cracked himself up, though I wasn’t sure whether it was Calvin’s high jinks or my own making him so goofy.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• antic
• horseplay
• prank