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.
1
Archaic Merry, joyous, full of mirth; later especially, frolicsome, sportive, full of playful mischief.
The frolick wind that breathes the Spring, Zephyr with Aurora playing, As he met her once a Maying There on Beds of Violets blew,1645, John Milton, “L’Allegro”, in Poems, London: Humphrey Moseley, page 31:
For women, born to be controul’d, Stoop to the forward and the bold, Affect the haughty and the proud, The gay, the frollick, and the loud.1682, Edmund Waller, “Of Love”, in Poems, &c. written upon several occasions, and to several persons, 5th edition, London: H. Herringman, published 1686, page 73:
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You meet him at the tables and conversations of the wise, the impertinent, the grave, the frolic, and the witty; [...]1766, Joseph Addison, The Spectator - Volume 5 - Page 304:
Beale, under this frolic menace, took nothing back at all; he was indeed apparently on the point of repeating his extravagence, but Miss Overmore instructed her little charge that she was not to listen to his bad jokes [...].1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:
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.
1
To make merry; to have fun; to romp; to behave playfully and uninhibitedly.
We saw the lambs frolicking in the meadow.
Fools on parade frolic and fuck about to make her gaze Turn to a scribble on a page by a picture that holds her absence But you're daft to think she'd care2009, Alex Turner, “Secret Door”, in Humbug (album), performed by Arctic Monkeys:
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“So, so beautiful. I'm gonna do one last roly-poly before we go. [snorting, squealing] At least I had one moment of joy in a life of drudgery. Where will the truffle hunt take us next?” “Nowhere. You're free, Jamebone. I'm releasing you from nose jail.” “Really? I can stay here in this paradise and prance and frolic?” “Just stick to frolicking.” “[emotional] Thank you, Mr. Bender. You're the kindest person I've ever met.” “Really? [crying] That's horrible.”2025 September 15, David A. Goodman, “The Trouble with Truffles” (18:04 from the start), in Futurama, season 10, episode 9, spoken by Jambone (Maria Bamford):
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.
1
Gaiety; merriment.
the annual jubilee […] filled the souls of old and young with visions of splendour, frolic and fun.1876, Louisa May Alcott, “The King of Clubs and the Queen of Hearts”, in Hallberger's Illustrated Magazine: 1876:
By the old-fashioned magnificence of this procession, it might worthily have included his Holiness in person, with a suite of attendant Cardinals, if those sacred dignitaries would kindly have lent their aid to heighten the frolic of the Carnival.2012 (original 1860), Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun - Page 276
2
A playful antic.
He would be at his frolic once again.1680, James Dillon, 3rd Earl of Roscommon, Art of Poetry:
He came clattering up to the school door with an invitation to Ichabod to attend a merry-making or “quilting frolic,” to be held that evening at Mynheer Van Tassel’s1820, Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: