"Fool around" is predominantly used in informal settings, often employed in casual conversations rather than formal discourse. The phrasal verb generally carries a playful or casual connotation. It can describe someone engaging in playful activity without serious intent, often implying a lack of productivity or seriousness, such as "Stop fooling around and get to work". Alternatively, it can refer to engaging in light-hearted, flirtatious behavior, sometimes with a romantic or sexual undertone, as in "They were just fooling around". The term is used in a variety of contexts, not bound to any specific age group but commonly found in everyday spoken English among friends or peers. While it can carry a mildly negative implication if referring to wasting time, it is typically not offensive and is widely understood.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To behave playfully or aimlessly, often wasting time.
The kids were fooling around in the backyard instead of doing their homework.
She's always fooling around at work and never gets her tasks done on time.
2. To be involved in a casual romantic or sexual relationship.
They were just fooling around; it wasn't anything serious.
I heard he's been fooling around with his coworker.
