1 B2 idiomatic slang
To waste time or avoid doing something useful; to behave in an aimless or silly way.
"We can't keep fucking around — the launch is in two days and nothing is ready."
inseparable
fuck around
B2 slang inseparable intransitive
American vulgar slang for wasting time, behaving recklessly, or having casual sexual encounters.
In plain English
To waste time not doing anything important, or to have sex with different people without commitment.
What does "fuck around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic slang
To have casual sexual relationships with multiple partners.
"After the breakup, he spent a year just fucking around before he was ready to date seriously again."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic slang
To behave recklessly or ignore warnings, with the implication that negative consequences will follow (especially in the phrase 'fuck around and find out').
"You want to skip safety training? Go ahead and fuck around and find out what happens."
inseparable
Usage tip
Strongly vulgar. The expression 'fuck around and find out' has become a very widely known internet meme meaning that reckless behaviour will lead to consequences. Regionally more common in American English.
Words that pair with "fuck around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time all day instead of working people consequences
How to conjugate "fuck around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fuck around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fucks around
he/she/it
Past simple
fucked around
yesterday
Past participle
fucked around
have + pp
-ing form
fucking around
continuous
Hear "fuck around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fuck around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "fuck around"
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Keep exploring
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