frolic

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To play and move about in a happy, lively, carefree way.

   We watched the lambs frolic in the meadow on a sunny morning.

2. 2
   noun

   A cheerful, light-hearted activity done for fun.

   The afternoon turned into a joyful frolic on the beach.

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.

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