screw around

verb

screwed around; screwing around; screws around

intransitive verb

1
: to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
2
: to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage or steady relationship : be sexually promiscuous

Example Sentences

he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
Recent Examples on the Web Or to screw around in the sand? Pete Lyons, Car and Driver, 11 Mar. 2023 But Zendaya doesn’t screw around in her workouts. Korin Miller, Women's Health, 27 Feb. 2023 Our gas giants don't screw around. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012 Using the Internet like this to screw around with Putin’s image, by the way, is also a little reminiscent of something else along these lines. Andy Meek, BGR, 13 July 2022 Yeah, but not to screw around with their brain waves. Steven Levy, Wired, 14 Apr. 2022 Each mission begs the player to screw around with the mechanics. Luke Winkie, Vulture, 4 May 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'screw around.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of screw around was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near screw around

Cite this Entry

“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screw%20around. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

screw around

verb
1
: to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
2
: to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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