1 C1 informal
To move around in a free, erratic, or aimless manner.
"The children were kiting around the park, chasing each other between the trees."
kite around
C1 informal intransitive
To move around freely, erratically, or aimlessly, often at speed.
In plain English
To fly or move around quickly and without a clear direction, like a kite.
What does "kite around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
In financial slang, to engage in check kiting — moving funds fraudulently between accounts to exploit processing delays.
"The accountant had been kiting around funds between three different accounts for months before anyone noticed."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fly around like a kite.
Actually means
To fly or move around quickly and without a clear direction, like a kite.
Usage tip
Rare and informal. Often used figuratively to describe a person or idea that moves or circulates without a fixed plan. Also used in financial slang to describe the fraudulent practice of exploiting float between bank accounts ('kiting checks').
Words that pair with "kite around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
freely aimlessly ideas rumours checks
How to conjugate "kite around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
kite around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
kites around
he/she/it
Past simple
kited around
yesterday
Past participle
kited around
have + pp
-ing form
kiting around
continuous
Hear "kite around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "kite around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "kite around"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.