To play in a rough, boisterous, or silly way, typically when one should be doing something else.
Play around in a loud, physical, silly way instead of doing something serious.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To engage in rough, noisy, or silly play, especially when serious behavior is expected.
"The boys were horsing around in the backyard and knocked over the garden furniture."
You guys were just horsing around and somebody got hurt.
— Ferris Bueller's Day Off (film, dir. John Hughes, 1986)
To waste time in idle, aimless activity instead of focusing on what needs to be done.
"We can't keep horsing around — the deadline is tomorrow morning."
To act like a horse — with wild, unrestrained energy.
Play around in a loud, physical, silly way instead of doing something serious.
The standard American English term for rough, playful behavior. Common in contexts involving children or young adults. Often used by a parent or authority figure expressing mild disapproval. Equivalent to British 'horse about'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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