horseplay

noun

horse·​play ˈhȯrs-ˌplā 

: rough or boisterous play

Synonyms of horseplay

• roughhousing
• joking
• funning
• clowning
• skylarking
• roughhouse
• tomfoolery
• buffoonery
• monkeying
• clownery
• slapstick
• monkey business

Examples of horseplay in a Sentence

The lamp got broken when the kids were engaging in a little horseplay.

when he saw us spraying each other with the hose instead of washing the car, Dad yelled, “Cut out the horseplay!”

Recent Examples on the Web

The undefeated South Dakota Coyotes prowled into Albertsons Stadium this weekend and turned what could have been an evening of horseplay for the Broncos into a dogfight. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026

The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay. — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

The device's user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

When horseplay turns into an impromptu hookup, neither of the young men fight the urge. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horseplay

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

horseplay

noun

horse·​play ˈhȯr-ˌsplā 

: rough or loud play