playful
Americanadjective
-
full of play or fun; sportive; frolicsome.
-
pleasantly humorous or jesting.
a playful remark.
adjective
-
full of high spirits and fun
a playful kitten
-
good-natured and humorous
a playful remark
Other Word Forms
- half-playful adjective
- half-playfully adverb
- half-playfulness noun
- playfully adverb
- playfulness noun
- unplayful adjective
- unplayfully adverb
Etymology
Origin of playful
First recorded in 1200–50, playful is from the Middle English word pleiful. See play, -ful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Moon’s three children, daughters Chelsea and Savannah and son Dusty, fondly remembered the composer in phone interviews as a “walking jukebox” who had an accepting, playful and peaceful approach in his personal and professional lives.
From Los Angeles Times
The film uses shifting perspectives and sometimes playful references to movies, including “Jaws” and “The Omen.”
"Innocent and playful use of AI like putting on sunglasses on public figures is fine," Aziz told AFP.
From Barron's
Megan said Edward had gone from being lethargic as a baby to a cheeky, playful boy, who was "full of life" and "a real character".
From BBC
In The Bear and the Doll, she brought playful charm to a comedic role, proving her range across genres.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
