What does larking mean?
Larking means playing or behaving in a playful, mischievous, or joking way. It is an informal word that often suggests harmless high spirits: people lark about, lark around, or simply lark when they are fooling around, pretending, or making jokes. In British English, “larking about” is particularly established, although “larking around” is also common. The word can imply a degree of cheeky or exaggerated behaviour, but it is generally affectionate rather than seriously critical. It is useful for describing playful conduct that is more deliberate and mischievous than ordinary activity, and for indicating that someone is joking rather than speaking seriously. The related noun “lark” names either a lighthearted adventure or the small songbird traditionally associated with cheerfulness and play.
verbEngaging in playful or mischievous activity, usually for fun. It can also mean behaving or speaking in a joking or exaggerated way.
- Engaging in playful or mischievous activity.
- Behaving or speaking in a joking or exaggerated manner.
"The children were larking about in the garden while the rain continued outside."
"We spent the afternoon larking about with old photographs."
"He was only larking when he pretended to have misplaced the keys."
Larking about is a cheerful British phrase for making a little trouble, usually in a harmless and good-humoured way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does larking come from?
The verb “lark” is recorded in English from the early 19th century in senses connected with sport, amusement, or escapade. Its origin is uncertain, although it may be related to dialectal and older forms associated with play or amusement. The present form “larking” is the inflection used when describing activity or joking behaviour. The word also gave rise to the familiar noun “lark”, meaning either a fun escapade or a songbird.
Related word forms
How larking is actually used
Larking is informal and usually conveys lighthearted mischief or foolery. The expression “larking about” is especially common in British English, while “larking around” is also widely understood in American English.