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Present participle for to act flirtatiously, especially just for fun
“He's the guy who goes to the gym and shows off his muscles just to mess around with the women.”
Present participle for to behave or act in a jocular manner
“I couldn't tell if he was serious, or just trying to mess around.”
Present participle for to tinker with something casually or in a nonserious manner
“I point the remote at the TV and mess around with the controls.”
Present participle for to interfere with something, typically causing damage or harm to it
“If potential criminals can't get to your computer, they can't steal it, and they sure can't mess around with the data it contains.”
Present participle for to mistreat someone
“Santo kept messing around, and it was bound to happen that he'd mess around with the wrong woman once too often and pay the price.”
Present participle for to waste or spend time in aimless or frivolous activity
“I was feeling lazy anyway, so it was a perfect day to mess around doing nothing special.”
Present participle for to associate or keep company with
“Who are the four kids in this school you would choose to mess around with?”
Present participle for avoid work
Present participle for to toy with
Present participle for to be engaged in a love affair, typically one of which the speaker disapproves
(colloquial) Present participle for to poke fun at or make fun of
Playing games with
Present participle for fail to act resolutely or decisively
Present participle for to do nothing in particular
(experiment with or on) Present participle for to perform an experimental procedure, especially for scientific purposes
Present participle for to intrude, meddle, or trespass in others' affairs
Foolish or silly behaviour
A flirtatious or amorous affair
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