verb
Common
Messing
Messing (verb) means present participle of mess: fooling around, interfering, or making something untidy. Example: “Stop messing about and finish your homework.”
verb
1
Present participle of mess: fooling around, interfering, or making something untidy.
"Stop messing about and finish your homework."
"He got in trouble for messing with the office printer."
How to use Messing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFooling around, fiddling with something, or making a mess.
Common pairings
messing about
messing around
messing with
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Word forms
- Plural
- Messings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Stop _____ about and finish your homework.
Etymology
From the Old English personal name *Mæcca plus -ing (“belonging to”).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Messing
Lessing
blessing
dressing
pressing
guessing
assessing
caressing
processing
expressing
addressing
depressing
witnessing
See all rhymes for Messing →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Messing” mean?
The word “Messing” means present participle of mess: fooling around, interfering, or making something untidy. In plain terms, fooling around, fiddling with something, or making a mess.
How do you use “Messing” in a sentence?
Here is “Messing” used in a sentence: “Stop messing about and finish your homework.”
What part of speech is “Messing”?
“Messing” is a verb.
Is “Messing” a common word?
“Messing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between messing and messing about?
Messing on its own is the present participle of "mess," meaning fooling around, interfering, or making something untidy. "Messing about" (or "messing around") is an informal phrasal expression meaning to spend time in a relaxed, playful, or unproductive way, often without a clear purpose.
Is messing an informal word?
Yes, messing is informal, commonly used in casual speech to describe fooling around or interfering with something, as in "stop messing with the remote." It would generally be avoided in formal writing.
What is the difference between messing and playing?
Messing often carries a mild negative connotation of interfering, disrupting, or making something untidy, while playing is more neutral and simply refers to engaging in an activity for enjoyment. "Messing with something" can suggest tampering that causes disorder.
