lark around
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To play silly games and have fun instead of doing serious things.
Literal meaning: See 'lark about' — 'a lark' is a cheerful bird or a fun escapade; 'larking around' pictures moving about playfully like a carefree creature.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To engage in playful, silly behaviour, especially instead of working or being serious.
"The students were larking around at the back of the classroom while the teacher wrote on the board."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 informal
To spend time in a lighthearted, aimless way, enjoying oneself without a specific purpose.
"We spent the whole Saturday larking around the park with no plans whatsoever."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Essentially synonymous with 'lark about'. Predominantly British. The two forms are interchangeable in most contexts and speakers often choose one over the other purely by habit.
Commonly used with
children mates school park afternoon time
Forms
Base
lark around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
larks around
he/she/it
Past simple
larked around
yesterday
Past participle
larked around
have + pp
-ing form
larking around
continuous
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Synonyms
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