verb
Meaning 1
To misbehave
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- Kids! Stop messing about and do your work!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Phrase guide
mess about
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
verb
Meaning 2
To be in a casual non-committal relationship
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- Anna and I are just messing about; this isn't going to last.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To play with; to toy with; to waste the time of (a person).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- Stop messing me about and give me a straight answer!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
be about
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The high school students like to loiter in the Central Square
- Who is this man that is hanging around the department?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: loiter, lounge, footle, lollygag, loaf, lallygag, hang around, tarry, linger, lurk, mill about, mill around
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: be
Narrower terms: prowl, lurch
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.