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.
Many of their playful clips and humorous commentary went viral and was especially appealing to younger viewers.
From Los Angeles Times
Guests were invited to watch as models sprawled across a pool table decorated in white leopard print, wearing outfits to match the playful aesthetic.
From BBC
As Díaz got set for his next pitch, Freeman tapped on his helmet in a playful attempt to challenge the call.
From Los Angeles Times
The ensemble’s playful insouciance maintains the production’s buoyancy.
From Los Angeles Times
Moments before the fatal shot, King was leaning over a railing in playful conversation with Jackson, who was standing in the parking lot below.
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.
