1 A2 informal
To play and move energetically in water, causing it to fly in all directions
"The kids spent hours splashing around in the hotel pool."
inseparable
splash around
A2 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To move energetically and playfully in water, scattering it in all directions
In plain English
To play in water and send it flying in every direction
What does "splash around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To spend or display money freely and ostentatiously
"He won the lottery and immediately started splashing money around on expensive cars."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scatter water in all directions while moving — fully transparent
Actually means
To play in water and send it flying in every direction
Usage tip
The American English counterpart to British 'splash about.' Both are interchangeable. Can be used transitively ('splashing water around') or intransitively ('splashing around in the pool'). Also used figuratively to mean displaying something ostentatiously (e.g., 'splashing money around').
Words that pair with "splash around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pool puddles water money cash beach
How to conjugate "splash around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
splash around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
splashes around
he/she/it
Past simple
splashed around
yesterday
Past participle
splashed around
have + pp
-ing form
splashing around
continuous
Hear "splash around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "splash around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "splash 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.