mess around

verb

messed around; messing around; messes around
Synonyms of mess aroundnext

intransitive verb

1
: to waste time : dawdle, idle
2
a
: associate
didn't mess around with gangs
b
: flirt, philander

Synonyms of mess around

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Examples of mess around in a Sentence

spent the vacation day just messing around a guy who goes to the health club mainly to mess around with the women
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Thunder don’t want to mess around. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 Kylian liked messing around, having a laugh and telling jokes — just like the rest of us. — Tom Williams, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Since adults emerge only to reproduce, these insects don't have time to mess around. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 From waterproof eye makeup to long-wearing lip stains, this cleansing balm doesn’t mess around. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mess around

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mess around was in 1918

Rhymes for mess around

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Browse Nearby Words

Messapii
mess around
mess around with (something)
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Cite this Entry

“Mess around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mess%20around. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mess around

Nglish: Translation of mess around for Spanish Speakers

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