What does skylarking mean?
Skylarking means frolicking or behaving with exuberant high spirits, often with the implication that the activity is noisy, unruly, or disruptive. A group of children might be described as skylarking in a park, while coworkers who are disrupting a meeting may be jokingly accused of skylarking. The verb is especially associated with playful physical movement and high-spirited antics, although it can also refer more generally to acting merrily or boisterously. Its unusual name comes from the skylark, a small lark celebrated for singing while ascending into the sky. The expression can be affectionate when describing children at play, but it may sound critical when used of adults behaving irresponsibly. Even in its mildest sense, skylarking conveys conspicuous exuberance rather than quiet enjoyment.
verbTo frolic or behave with exuberant high spirits, especially in a way that disrupts those around you.
- To behave with boisterous high spirits or frolic.
- To jump or move about exuberantly.
"The children were skylarking in the garden until their mother called them inside."
"They spent the afternoon skylarking on the beach."
"A group of colleagues was skylarking in the corridor, much to the annoyance of the office staff."
The skylark earned its name by singing as it rose into the sky, turning its famous song into a symbol of carefree abandon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skylarking come from?
Skylarking developed from the noun skylark, the name of a lark that sings while flying upward. The verb meaning "to frolic" arose by extension of that association with the bird's lively flight and song. The compound first element sky plainly refers to the bird's characteristic aerial display; the history of lark itself is older and less certain.
Related word forms
How skylarking is actually used
The expression is usually lighthearted but can imply that someone is being noisy, unruly, or inconsiderate of others. It is common in British and American English.