Differences between mess about with and mess around

Mess about with and mess around have similar meanings, but mess about with is more commonly used in British English, while mess around is more common in American English.

Meanings and Definitions: mess about with vs mess around

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Mess about with

1Have a sexual relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
She's been MESSING ABOUT WITH another guy she knows from work.
2Try to improve something, usually making things worse.
The computer was working fine until he started MESSING ABOUT WITH it.

Mess around

1Not be serious, play with something.
I was MESSING AROUND on the internet because I couldn't be bothered to do any work.
2Treat someone badly.
She is always MESSING me AROUND and never does what she promises.
3Have a sexual relationship outside marriage or a permanent relationship.
She's not faithful- she's been MESSING ABOUT since they got married.

Usage Examples: mess about with, mess around in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

mess about with

Example

He always messes about with gadgets and devices.

Example

She messes about with her hair to create new styles.

mess around

Example

He likes to mess around with his friends after school.

Example

She messes around on her phone instead of studying.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Mess about with

fiddle with

To make small adjustments or changes to something without any particular goal or purpose.

Example

He spent hours fiddling with his computer settings, trying to make it run faster.

play around with

To experiment with something in a playful or non-serious way.

Example

She likes to play around with different makeup looks on the weekends.

tinker with

To make small changes or adjustments to something in order to improve it or make it work better.

Example

He spent the afternoon tinkering with his bike, trying to fix the brakes.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Mess around

fool around

To engage in playful or silly behavior, often without any particular goal or purpose.

Example

The kids were fooling around in the park, playing tag and climbing trees.

hang out

To spend time with someone in a casual or relaxed way.

Example

We like to hang out at the beach on weekends, just soaking up the sun and chatting.

kill time

To do something unimportant or non-productive in order to pass the time.

Example

We had a few hours to kill before the movie started, so we decided to mess around in the arcade.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “mess”

Phrasal Verbs with “around”

Differences in mess about with vs mess around: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: mess about with or mess around?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but mess around is slightly more common than mess about with.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of mess about with and mess around

Both mess about with and mess around are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. They are not appropriate for formal settings like business or academic contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of mess about with and mess around

The tone of mess about with and mess around is generally playful and lighthearted. These phrases are often used when talking about doing something silly or non-serious.

mess about with & mess around: Synonyms and Antonyms

Mess about with

Synonyms

cheat
engage in affairs
experiment with
tinker with
play around with

Antonyms

be faithful
stay committed
leave untouched
avoid interfering

Mess around

Synonyms

fiddle
dabble
procrastinate
fool around
play around
toy with
tinker
waste time

Antonyms

focus
concentrate
commit
dedicate
work hard
be serious