frolic
gb/fɹˈɑlɪk/ us/fɹˈɑlɪk/
B2
English
hancúrozik, hancúrozás, kiruccanás, csavargás, lefekszik egymással, magáncélú kitérő
VERB
B2
1
hancúrozik
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/animal] frolic(s) (about/around/in [place])
The puppies frolicked in the garden all afternoon.
A kiskutyák egész délután a kertben hancúroztak.
Kids were frolicking in the waves while the adults watched from the shore.
A gyerekek a hullámokban hancúroztak, miközben a felnőttek a partról nézték őket.
After the first snowfall, the dog frolicked around the yard with obvious delight.
Learner examples
The children frolicked in the park.
A gyerekek a parkban hancúroztak.
My dog likes to frolic in the snow.
A kutyám szeret a hóban hancúrozni.
Common mistake:
Learners may use it too broadly for any kind of fun; it usually suggests energetic, playful movement.
Meaning
play and move about happily
Collocations
frolic in the grass
|frolic on the beach
|frolic in the snow
|frolic around the yard
|frolic about
|frolic with friends
|frolic in the park
|frolic happily
|frolic freely
|frolic in the sunshine
Synonyms
romp (Often suggests energetic, noisy play.)
|
cavort (Similar, sometimes slightly more showy or carefree.)
|
play (More general and less vivid.)
Antonyms
behave (Emphasizes controlled, proper conduct rather than playful movement.)
|
sit still (Directly contrasts with active movement.)
Themes
daily_life
|movement
|leisure
|emotions
Definition
to play and run around happily
To play and move around in a lively, cheerful way, often running, jumping, or dancing.
NOUN
C1
2
hancúrozás
B2
Usage pattern:
a frolic (in [place]); frolics
The afternoon turned into a frolic in the woods.
A délután végül vidám hancúrozássá kerekedett az erdőben.
Their childhood was full of outdoor frolics and muddy shoes.
Gyerekkoruk tele volt szabadtéri hancúrozással és sáros cipőkkel.
What started as a photo shoot became a frolic in the surf.
Learner examples
We had a frolic in the park after lunch.
Ebéd után volt egy kis hancúrozás a parkban.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with 'relic' or 'frivolous'; 'a frolic' is specifically a playful time or activity.
Meaning
lively playful activity
Collocations
a frolic in the park
|a frolic on the beach
|childhood frolics
|a playful frolic
|a frolic in the snow
|summer frolics
|a frolic in the garden
|a frolic with friends
Synonyms
romp (Often implies rough-and-tumble play.)
|
caper (Light, playful running or jumping; sometimes more whimsical.)
|
lark (Emphasizes playful fun, often with friends; less about physical movement.)
Antonyms
work (Contrasts with play and leisure.)
|
routine (Contrasts with spontaneous, carefree activity.)
Themes
daily_life
|leisure
|movement
Definition
a time of happy, energetic play
A period of lively, playful activity; romping or cheerful play.
NOUN
C1
3
kiruccanás
B1
csavargás
B2
Usage pattern:
a frolic to/through [place]; a weekend frolic
They took a quick frolic to the coast before the semester started.
Tettek egy gyors kiruccanást a tengerpartra, mielőtt elkezdődött a szemeszter.
What was meant to be a simple errand turned into a frolic around town.
Ami egyszerű ügyintézésnek indult, abból egy kis városi csavargás lett.
We planned a one-day frolic in the countryside to escape the heat.
Learner examples
We went on a frolic to the beach.
Tettünk egy kiruccanást a strandra.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than the 'playful activity' sense; it often implies something spontaneous and carefree.
Meaning
carefree outing for fun
Collocations
a weekend frolic
|a little frolic
|a frolic in the city
|a frolic to Paris
|a frolic with friends
|a frolic by the sea
Synonyms
jaunt (A short trip for pleasure; often slightly more neutral.)
|
excursion (More planned and neutral; less playful in tone.)
|
spree (Often implies indulgence and may be excessive.)
Antonyms
business trip (Travel for work rather than fun.)
|
duty (Obligation rather than pleasure.)
Themes
travel
|leisure
|relationships
Definition
a short trip or activity just for fun
A lighthearted outing or brief escapade taken for pleasure.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
frolic (with [someone])
The tabloid hinted that the two celebrities had been frolicking together on holiday.
A bulvárlap azt sejtette, hogy a két celeb együtt hancúrozott a nyaraláson.
He joked that they spent the weekend frolicking rather than sightseeing.
Viccelődve azt mondta, hogy a hétvégén inkább hancúroztak, mint várost néztek.
Common mistake:
This meaning is usually indirect/euphemistic; in many contexts 'frolic' simply means 'play'.
Meaning
engage in playful sex
Collocations
frolic with
|frolic in bed
|frolic between the sheets
Synonyms
sleep with (Common neutral euphemism for having sex.)
|
hook up (More casual and often implies no commitment.)
Antonyms
abstain (Choose not to have sex.)
Themes
relationships
|sex
Definition
to have sex (used jokingly or politely)
To engage in playful sexual activity; to have sex, often suggested in a light or euphemistic way.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
a frolic (and detour)
The court found the driver was on a frolic, not acting within the scope of employment.
A bíróság úgy találta, hogy a sofőr magáncélú kitérőn volt, nem pedig a munkaköre keretében járt el.
The employer argued the accident happened during an employee’s frolic rather than during work duties.
A munkáltató azzal érvelt, hogy a baleset a dolgozó magáncélú kitérője alatt történt, nem a munkafeladatai közben.
Common mistake:
This is a specialized legal meaning and is not the same as ordinary 'fun' in everyday speech.
Meaning
employee’s personal detour (law)
Collocations
on a frolic
|frolic and detour
|employee frolic
|scope of employment
|vicarious liability
Synonyms
deviation (General term; not specific to the legal doctrine.)
Antonyms
scope of employment (Actions done as part of the job, not a personal departure.)
Themes
law
|work
Definition
in law, a big personal detour from work
In tort law, a substantial personal deviation by an employee from their work duties, especially one that can remove the employer’s liability for the employee’s actions during that time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frolic
IPA
GB/fɹˈɑlɪk/
US/fɹˈɑlɪk/
Syllables & stress
frol - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (frol)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: frolic
- Plural: frolics
Verb
- Base: frolic
- 3rd Person Singular: frolics
- Present Participle: frolicking
- Past: frolicked
- Past Participle: frolicked
Word family
Forms
frolics
noun
frolicking
verb
frolicked
verb
Advanced or less common
frolicsome
adjective
frolicker
noun
Expressions
frolic and detour
1/fɹˈɑlɪk ˈænd dˈitʊɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
legal categories of deviation
in law, a test for work vs personal actions
Examples
- The judge applied the frolic and detour doctrine to decide whether the company was liable.
- In torts class, students learn the frolic and detour distinction early on.
frolic in the hay
1/fɹˈɑlɪk ˈɪn ðə hˈeɪ/
idiom
informal
have sex (playfully said)
to have sex (a joking phrase)
Examples
- The comedy is full of jokes about the characters frolicking in the hay.
- The gossip columnist implied the couple had been frolicking in the hay all weekend.
go on a frolic
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɔn ə fɹˈɑlɪk/
fixed phrase
literary
go out for carefree fun
to go out and have fun
Examples
- After exams, they went on a frolic around the city.
- She disappeared for the afternoon, off on a frolic with friends.
Learner examples
- We went on a frolic after work.