playful

[pley-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of play or fun; sportive; frolicsome.

2. pleasantly humorous or jesting.

   a playful remark.

playful

/ ˈpleɪfʊl /

adjective

1. full of high spirits and fun

   a playful kitten

2. good-natured and humorous

   a playful remark

Other Word Forms

• playfully adverb
• playfulness noun
• half-playful adjective
• half-playfully adverb
• half-playfulness noun
• unplayful adjective
• unplayfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of playful¹

First recorded in 1200–50, playful is from the Middle English word pleiful. See play, -ful

Example Sentences

The Caesar salad, with candied anchovies, gem lettuce, and umeboshi dressing, is a playful twist, but the main course is where things get truly exciting.

Read more on Salon

There is a playful metafictional aspect to the movie, as well as a chilling feeling of isolation and a gleefully uninhibited performance from Mr. Neill.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

You usually won’t get cold, dry powder under your skis, but you will find soft, forgiving and playful snow, which some skiers rank as equally rewarding to ski.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On TikTok, people have riffed on and parodied the playful lyrics endlessly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The keepers say Max is the "playful one", enjoying tree-climbing, tossing logs and balls into the pool and "keeping everyone entertained".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cheerful 
• comical 
• flirtatious 
• frisky 
• good-natured 
• impish 
• joking 
• lighthearted 
• lively 
• mischievous 
• spirited 
• sprightly 
• tongue-in-cheek 
• whimsical