What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
horseplay
Example
The boys engaged in some horseplay in the backyard, wrestling and chasing each other. [horseplay: noun]
Example
She didn't appreciate his horseplay, as he accidentally knocked over a vase. [horseplay: adjective]
roughhousing
Example
The puppies were roughhousing in the yard, nipping and chasing each other. [roughhousing: verb]
Example
The kids were having fun roughhousing on the trampoline, jumping and bouncing around. [roughhousing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roughhousing is more commonly used than horseplay in everyday language, and it is a more versatile term that can apply to a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between horseplay and roughhousing?
Neither horseplay nor roughhousing are particularly formal terms, and they are more commonly used in informal or casual settings.
