help me to understand it well.

[dilodi83]

My doubts are about these 4 verbs: " to Chill", " to screw around" and " to hang around" and "to hang out".

I'm "chilling" around the house cause I have nothing to do.

I'd really like to "hang out" with you while I stay in Sicily.

We don't know how to spend time; so we "screw around".

I "screw around" with that girl last summer.

Tommy! Stop "screw around"!!!

I've been "hanging around" for half an hour.


Could you please tell me if these 4 verbs mean the same thing or if I have to use them in different context? And if I have to use them differently, can you give me some examples? Of course correct the sentences I wrote up if they're wrong.

[Anglika]

They all mean approximately the same - hanging about with no particular purpose or aim, either with your friends or on your own.

"screw around" can have a sexual connotation.

Generally to be avoided in formal situations - very acceptable in colloquial ones.

[dilodi83]

no more clearer explanation?

[Ouisch]

I'm "chilling" around the house cause I have nothing to do.
You're just sitting and relaxing, maybe watching TV or chatting with friends.


I'd really like to "hang out" with you while I stay in Sicily.
I'd like to accompany you (and your friends) while I'm in Sicily. Wherever you usually go - restaurants, clubs, whatever - I'd like to go with you.

We don't know how to spend time; so we "screw around".
We waste time, we don't do anything productive.

I "screw around" with that girl last summer.
Depends upon the context; can either mean you just wasted time and accompanied her to pubs and such, or it can mean you had a casual sexual relationship.

Tommy! Stop "screw around"!!!
Should read: "Tommy! Stop screwing around!"
Said thusly, it usually means that Tommy is working with something that he's unfamiliar with. For example, the hot water heater has stopped working, and Tommy is trying to fix it, even though he knows nothing about plumbing. You might say, "Tommy, stop screwing around with that before you make things worse. I'm going to call a plumber."

I've been "hanging around" for half an hour.
I've been waiting here, doing nothing, for half an hour.

[dilodi83]

Thanks a lot for the answer. You've been very clear!!

My last question about these verbs is: Are these verbs interchangeable in the sentences I gave you as examples?

Thanks again.