screw around

verb

screwed around; screwing around; screws around
Synonyms of screw aroundnext

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

Synonyms

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Examples of screw around in a Sentence

he hired a private detective because he thought his wife was screwing around
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm. — Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 But there’s still huge potential for rooftop solar, which can help cities stay powered when wildfires or other disruptions batter the larger electric grid — an increasingly common problem as the climate crisis screws around with global weather systems. — Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023

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

Rhymes for screw around

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Browse Nearby Words

screw arbor
screw around
screw auger
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Cite this Entry

“Screw around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screw%20around. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

screw around

verb
1
: to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
2
: to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage
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