Word
frolic
Phoneticsfrol·ic, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹɑɫɪk/
UK/fɹˈɒlɪk/
Definition
v. to play or move around in a happy, energetic way. You use this to describe children or animals jumping and running for fun.
v. to play and move about cheerfully, excitedly, or energetically. Often describes the lighthearted movement of animals or children in an outdoor setting.
Examples
“The young lambs frolic in the green fields.”
“During the summer holidays, children often frolic in the park until the sun begins to set.”
“The documentary captured rare footage of dolphin pods as they began to frolic in the wake of the research vessel, leaping gracefully through the cresting waves.”
Examples
simple
“The young lambs frolic in the green fields.”
contextual
“During the summer holidays, children often frolic in the park until the sun begins to set.”
complex
“The documentary captured rare footage of dolphin pods as they began to frolic in the wake of the research vessel, leaping gracefully through the cresting waves.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “frolic” in context.
Verb
01. frolic about
“The lambs were seen to frolic about in the lush green meadow.”
verb + prep
02. frolic around
“Children were frolicking around in the sprinklers to stay cool.”
verb + prep
03. frolic in
“The puppies love to frolic in the fallen autumn leaves.”
verb + prep
04. frolic in the snow
“The children spent the entire afternoon frolicking in the fresh snow.”
05. frolic in the waves
“We watched the dolphins frolic in the waves just offshore.”
06. happily frolic together
“The young calves happily frolic together in the open pasture.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“On the afternoon of their final home inspection, he wanders into the meadow out back, watches the deer frolic and reflects that the purchase “felt like confirmation that we were on the right path, that I had planned and worked and won the things I wanted and that I deserved them.” Etymology
From Dutch vrolijk (“cheerful”), from Middle Dutch vrolijc, from Old Dutch frōlīk, from Proto-Germanic *frawalīkaz. Compare German fröhlich (“blitheful, gaily, happy, merry”). The first element, ultimately from Proto-Germanic frawaz, is cognate with Middle English frow (“hasty”); the latter element, ultimately from -līkaz, is cognate with -ly, -like.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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