Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To move or act in a lively, energetic, and often noisy or unrestrained way, typically for fun or play. This often implies physical activity like chasing, jumping, or playing without a specific serious purpose.

Usage

• The verb "run around" describes energetic, playful, and sometimes chaotic movement or activity. It is often used for children or animals at play. It can also imply being very busy with various tasks, but in a somewhat disorganized or frantic manner.
• Important Note: This entry explains the phrasal verb "run around." It is not the same as the separate words "run" and "around" used independently.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to run around after someone": To be busy doing tasks for someone, often implying servitude or a lack of appreciation.
  • She's always running around after her children, driving them to different activities.
• "to run around like a headless chicken" (Idiom): To act in a frantic, disorganized, and panicked way.
  • With the sudden deadline, the team was running around like headless chickens.

Variants and Related Words

• Runabout (noun, chiefly British): A small, light car or motorboat.
• Runaround (noun, informal): Evasive or deceptive treatment; avoiding giving a direct answer.
  • He gave me the runaround when I asked for a refund.

Synonyms

• Frolic: To play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically.
• Romping: To play roughly and energetically.
• Cavort: To jump or dance around excitedly.
• Gambol: To run or jump about playfully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Run about: A less common variant with the same meaning as "run around."
  • The children were running about in the garden.

Related Idioms

• Run (someone) ragged: To make someone very tired by keeping them very busy.
  • The kids ran me ragged at the amusement park.
• Run circles around (someone): To be much more skillful or efficient than someone else.
  • The new software runs circles around the old system.

Verb

1. play boisterously
   • The children frolicked in the garden
   • the gamboling lambs in the meadows
   • The toddlers romped in the playroom