Goof around Meaning in English

expression

US

GOOF-uh-ROWND

UK

GOOF-uh-ROWND

Definition

To spend time playing, doing silly things, or not being serious; acting in a playful or careless way rather than working or focusing.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, mostly spoken English. Often used for children but can apply to adults. Suggests a lack of seriousness or wasting time; usually lighthearted, not negative. Common with 'kids', 'students', or 'at work'.

• Spanish: holgazanear - hacer tonterías - perder el tiempo
• Portuguese (BR): brincar - fazer bagunça - ficar à toa
• Portuguese (PT): brincar - fazer disparates - andar a fazer asneiras
• Chinese (Simplified): 胡闹 - 闲混
• Chinese (Traditional): 胡鬧 - 閒混
• Hindi: मौज-मस्ती करना - समय बर्बाद करना
• Arabic: يعبث - يمضي الوقت بلا فائدة
• Bengali: আবোলতাবোল করা - ফাঁকিবাজি করা
• Russian: дурачиться - баловаться
• Japanese: ふざける - ふざけて遊ぶ
• Vietnamese: đùa nghịch - làm trò
• Korean: 장난치다 - 빈둥거리다
• Turkish: oyalanmak - şakalaşmak
• Urdu: مذاق کرنا - وقت ضائع کرنا
• Indonesian: bercanda - main-main

Example Sentences

The kids always goof around after lunch.

basic

Please stop goofing around and finish your homework.

basic

Sometimes we just want to goof around and have fun.

basic

We were just goofing around in the park when it started to rain.

natural

Every Friday afternoon, people tend to goof around because the weekend is near.

natural

If you keep goofing around at work, you might get in trouble.

natural