horse around

verb

Definition of horse aroundnext
as in to fool around
to engage in attention-getting playful or boisterous behavior the boys were horsing around on the boat when one of them fell overboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of horse around But Andrew continued to live at the home and was often seen riding his horse around Windsor Great Park and photographed waving to crowds. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026 In April 2020, Iglesias shared a video of him horsing around with Lucy and Nicholas as the pair attempted to climb on his back for a ride. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026 Running or horsing around with sparklers can also cause injuries and burns when users trip and fall. — Justin Laube, EverydayHealth.com, 2 July 2025 Heath Ryan, who represented Australia in dressage at the 2008 Olympics, can be seen in the video – which the rider said is about two years old – hitting a horse around 40 times. — Matias Grez, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for horse around
Recent Examples of Synonyms for horse around
  1. fool around
  2. show off
  3. cut up
  4. act up
  5. revel
Verb
  • Another horny couple on vacation couldn’t wait until their flight landed to fool around and insisted on doing so in the plane's cabin.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Zeus did not approve of his daughter fooling around with this mortal roughneck hunter and put out a hit on Orion.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of fool around
Verb
  • The lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires may have kept some away but those in attendance were eager to show off their pets.
    — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • This chic all-inclusive resort made its debut in 2021, showing off pops of vibrant colors in the modern lobby and room designs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of show off
Verb
  • The director planned to film the killing of a live donkey, which would be cut up for food by actors portraying laborers.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Unusual colorways and short production runs contribute to rarity, and uncut original lengths are prized, since most bolts have been cut up and used.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of cut up
Verb
  • Currently, Screen Time often acts up and just cuts off access to all apps, whether it’s supposed to or not.
    — Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
  • Baye continued acting up until 2023.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of act up
Verb
  • When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • The pair sequester themselves in a shed while guests revel outside in the sunshine.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of revel

Browse Nearby Words

horse
horse around
horseback
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Horse around.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horse%20around. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All