1 B1 informal
To search through a place or a group of objects by moving things around in a disorganised or energetic way.
"She was rooting about in her handbag, trying to find her keys."
root about
B1 informal intransitive
To search through a place or collection of things by moving things around energetically, like an animal digging.
In plain English
To dig around and look through things trying to find something — like how a pig or dog digs with its nose.
What does "root about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
(Of an animal) to dig or push through soil or material with the snout.
"The boar was rooting about under the oak tree looking for acorns."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move roots about in the ground — the image of an animal digging with its snout underlies the human figurative use.
Actually means
To dig around and look through things trying to find something — like how a pig or dog digs with its nose.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. The image is of an animal (especially a pig) using its snout to dig in the ground. Used for humans when they are searching in an untidy or energetic way through cupboards, bags, or drawers. Often implies the search makes things messy.
Words that pair with "root about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
drawer bag cupboard pocket box pile rubbish
How to conjugate "root about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
root about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
roots about
he/she/it
Past simple
rooted about
yesterday
Past participle
rooted about
have + pp
-ing form
rooting about
continuous
Hear "root about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "root about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.