1 B2 idiomatic informal
To have casual sexual relationships with many different people.
"His reputation for sleeping around made it hard for him to be taken seriously."
inseparable
sleep around
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To have casual sexual relationships with many different people.
In plain English
To have sex with a lot of different people without being in a serious relationship.
What does "sleep around" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To sleep in many places around — originally meaning to sleep in various locations, now almost entirely sexual in meaning.
Actually means
To have sex with a lot of different people without being in a serious relationship.
Usage tip
Has a notably judgmental tone in many contexts, particularly when applied to women, reflecting societal double standards. Used widely in both British and American English. Learners should be aware that this phrase can be offensive depending on the context.
Words that pair with "sleep around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
reputation freely before settling down promiscuously rumored
How to conjugate "sleep around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sleep around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sleeps around
he/she/it
Past simple
slept around
yesterday
Past participle
slept around
have + pp
-ing form
sleeping around
continuous
Hear "sleep around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sleep around" 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.