fool around Definition

around
adverb

1. On every side; in every direction.

Example: tended to throw his money around
2. Here and there; in different directions; in or to different places; with or to different people, etc.

Example: could see for miles around
Example: It's best to shop around
Thesaurus: all over, here and there, everywhere, in all directions, in the air, to and fro.
3. Approximately.

Example: This cinema seats around 100
4. Somewhere in the vicinity.

Example: waited around
Thesaurus: nearby, close, at hand, nigh.

prep

1. On all sides of something.

Thesaurus: encircling, encompassing, on all sides of, on every side of, surrounding, enclosing, circumjacent to.
2. In all directions from (a specified point).

Example: The land around here is very fertile
3. Over; in all directions.

Example: Toys were scattered around the floor
4. So as to surround or encircle; so as to make a circuit of something.
5. Reached by making a turn or partial turn about.

Example: The shop is around the corner
6. Somewhere in or near.

Example: The village must be around here
7. Approximately in or at; about.

Thesaurus: approximately, about, more or less, roughly, almost, close to.

Idiom: all around

Everywhere to be seen.
Example: The signs of spring are all around

Idiom: be around

To be in existence.

To be prominent in a particular field
Example: But will ‘REM' still be around in ten years' time?

Idiom: be up and around

To be fit enough to get up out of bed, especially after an illness, etc.

Idiom: fool around

See under fool.

Idiom: get around

Said of a rumour, gossip, etc: to become known.

To become experienced by doing a variety of different things or going to a variety of different places.

To move or travel.
Example: gets around by bus

To overcome.
Example: Having more staff would get around the problem

Idiom: get around to something (get around to doing something)

To tackle it or do it, especially eventually or reluctantly.

Idiom: have been around

colloq
To have had a great deal of experience of life.

euphemistic
To have had numerous sexual liaisons.

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fool¹
noun

1. Someone who lacks common sense or intelligence.

Thesaurus: idiot, jackass, dolt, imbecile, ignoramus, dunce, buffoon, schmuck (US slang).
2. Someone made to appear ridiculous.

Thesaurus: dupe, stooge, sap (slang), sucker (slang).
3. historical
A person employed by kings, nobles, etc to amuse them; a jester.

verb

fooled, fooling
1. To deceive someone so that they appear foolish or ridiculous.

Thesaurus: joke, kid, put one over on, con, dupe, delude, deceive, swindle, hoodwink, mislead, string along.

Idiom: make a fool of oneself

To act in a way that makes one appear foolish.

Idiom: make a fool of someone

To trick them or make them appear ridiculous; to humiliate them.

Idiom: nobody's fool

Someone too wary to be tricked or deceived; astute
Example: Bill is nobody's fool.

Idiom: play the fool (act the fool)

Deliberately to act in a comically foolish manner.
Thesaurus: joke, be silly, show off, clown.

Etymology: 13c: from French fol.

Phrasal Verb: fool someone into or out of something

To persuade them by deception to do something or not to do it.

Phrasal Verb: fool about or around

To behave stupidly or playfully.

Phrasal Verb: fool with something

To meddle with it irresponsibly or thoughtlessly.