play about
B1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To have fun or mess around; to try things out without being serious.
Meanings
1 A2 informal
To have fun or behave in a silly, unserious way.
"The kids were playing about in the garden all afternoon, chasing each other with the hosepipe."
2 B1 informal
To experiment or tinker with something casually.
"I've been playing about with the camera settings to try to get better night shots."
Usage notes
Primarily British English. Very close to 'play around'. Can be used of children playing without a specific purpose, or of adults experimenting informally with something (e.g. 'play about with the settings'). Sometimes implies wasting time, though less negatively than 'mess about'.
Commonly used with
ideas settings words children garden friends
Forms
Base
play about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plays about
he/she/it
Past simple
played about
yesterday
Past participle
played about
have + pp
-ing form
playing about
continuous
Understand "play about" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "play about" on Looplines