1 B1 idiomatic informal
To behave in a silly or playful way, especially when one should be serious.
"Stop fooling about and get your homework done!"
inseparable
fool about
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To behave in a silly, playful, or irresponsible way, or to waste time.
In plain English
Act silly or waste time doing nothing useful.
What does "fool about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To waste time doing nothing productive.
"We spent the whole afternoon fooling about instead of studying."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move about as a fool would — acting without purpose.
Actually means
Act silly or waste time doing nothing useful.
Usage tip
Predominantly British English. 'Fool around' is the standard American equivalent. Can sound mildly scolding when used by adults addressing children or colleagues.
Words that pair with "fool about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time class work office day
How to conjugate "fool about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fool about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fools about
he/she/it
Past simple
fooled about
yesterday
Past participle
fooled about
have + pp
-ing form
fooling about
continuous
Hear "fool about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fool about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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