Monkeying: meaning, definitions and examples

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monkeying

 

[ หˆmสŒล‹kiษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

playful behavior

Monkeying refers to playful or mischievous behavior, often involving physical activity. It can describe actions that are silly or non-serious, similar to how monkeys behave. People sometimes use this term in casual conversation to indicate someone is goofing off or not taking things seriously. In some contexts, it can also imply meddling or tampering with something.

Synonyms

fooling, frolicking, gamboling, mucking around

Examples of usage

  • The kids were monkeying around in the playground.
  • Stop monkeying with the computer settings!
  • He spent all day monkeying instead of studying.
  • They were monkeying about during the meeting.

Translations

Translations of the word "monkeying" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น macaco

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเค‚เคฆเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Affe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ monyet

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐะฒะฟะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ maล‚pa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็Œฟ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท singe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mono

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท maymun

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์›์ˆญ์ด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‚ุฑุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ opice

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ opica

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็Œดๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ opica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ api

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐะนะผั‹ะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒ˜แƒ›แƒฃแƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ meymun

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mono

Etymology

The term 'monkeying' derives from the noun 'monkey,' which has its origins in the late Middle Ages. The exact etymology of the word 'monkey' is uncertain, but it is believed to have been borrowed from the Middle Dutch word 'moneke,' a term of endearment. In the 1600s, 'monkey' started being used in English to describe various small primates as well as to refer to a person who behaves in a silly or playful manner. The verb 'monkey' began to take on a playful connotation, suggesting lightheartedness and mischief, which evolved into the usage of 'monkeying' to point at playful antics or foolish behavior. Over time, this expression has infiltrated multiple areas of informal speech, illustrating both literal mimicry of monkeys and metaphorical expressions of childish, reckless, or carefree actions.