play around


Act playfully or irresponsibly, especially in having a casual or extramarital sexual relationship. For example, She got tired of his playing around and filed for divorce. [1920s]

Words Nearby play around

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

How to use play around in a sentence

  • Kopee and I had to sit on his back, while the waves of the river played around us as the waves of the sea play around an island.

    Kari the Elephant | Dhan Gopal Mukerji
  • Until then, you see, they haven't much of anything to do but play around and sit in the sun and chat.

  • The house has changed hands many times since we used to play around the Grecian pillars of its portico.

    Worldly Ways and Byways | Eliot Gregory
  • Directly after we had left the summit a few puffs of wind began to play around and some light snow fell.

  • The moment he shook hands with us they seemed to understand we were friends, and would play around us like kittens.

    Torrey's Narrative | William Torrey