fooling around with

USAGE SUMMARY

"fooling around with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone playing and experimenting with something for fun or entertainment. For example: My brother and his friends have been fooling around with our old Playstation lately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Fooling around with complements.

Harvard University

"Devotion" isn't fooling around with faith.

The New York Times - Arts

Why keep fooling around with Rutgers?

The New York Times - Sports

He likes fooling around with girls.

The Guardian - Sport

I call it fooling around with the machines.

The New York Times

Fooling around with grapefruit juice is not a good idea".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"There's history being fooled around with.

The New York Times - Sports

"You don't fool around with concussions.

The New York Times - Sports

We've fooled around with drag racing".

The New York Times

They can fool around with the puck and avoid contact.

The New Yorker

You don't fool around with a credit crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fooling around with" to describe casual, playful, or experimental interactions, especially when the outcome isn't critical or the engagement is primarily for enjoyment.

Common error

Don't use "fooling around with" in formal or serious contexts where a more professional or respectful tone is needed. Opt for phrases like "experimenting with" or "testing" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fooling around with" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of playfully experimenting or casually engaging with something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showing examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fooling around with" is a common and generally acceptable expression that signifies playfully experimenting or engaging with something casually. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across multiple sources. While its register is mostly informal, it can be found in news and media. When a more serious or formal tone is needed, alternatives like "experimenting with" or "exploring" are more appropriate. Remember that "fooling around with" is best suited for lighthearted contexts where the primary intention is enjoyment or casual exploration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

messing around with

Implies a similar level of casual experimentation, but can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of interfering.

playing around with

Suggests a lighthearted and recreational engagement, often with the intent of amusement or exploration.

kidding around with

Emphasizes the playful and humorous aspect of the interaction.

joking around with

Similar to 'kidding around', highlighting the lighthearted and non-serious nature.

monkeying around with

Informal and playful, suggesting aimless or unskilled handling.

tinkering with

Indicates a more hands-on and potentially technical approach to experimenting, often with machinery or electronics.

experimenting with

Implies a more deliberate and methodical approach to trying out new things, often with a specific goal in mind.

dabbling in

Suggests a casual and non-committal involvement, often with a new skill or activity.

trifling with

Carries a negative connotation, implying a disrespectful or careless handling of something important.

tampering with

Implies unauthorized or harmful alteration of something.

FAQs

What does "fooling around with" mean?

It means to play or experiment with something in a non-serious or casual way. It often implies a lack of focus or a playful approach.

What can I say instead of "fooling around with"?

You can use alternatives like "messing around with", "playing around with", or "experimenting with" depending on the context.

Is "fooling around with" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "fooling around with" is generally considered informal. Use more formal alternatives like "experimenting with" or "exploring" in professional or academic contexts.

How to use "fooling around with" in a sentence?

Example: "The children were "fooling around with" the new toys." Or: "He spent the afternoon "fooling around with" the code, trying to fix the bug."