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
Explanation
Use the adjective playful to describe someone who likes to have fun and doesn't take things too seriously. A playful kindergarten teacher makes everything seem like a game, even lining up to go outside for recess. A group of cheerful kids playing musical chairs at a birthday party can be called playful, and so can a litter of wiggly puppies. A playful joke might be mischievous, but it's meant in a silly, friendly way. This word has been around since the thirteenth century, in the sense of "full of play." The Old English root word is plegan, which means "frolic, move rapidly, make sport of, or play music."
Vocabulary lists containing playful
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 6
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Tone and Point of View, List 2
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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.
Lakers star Luka Doncic’s playful nature and ability to bring “good vibes” is serving the team well heading into their Game 2 showdown with the Rockets.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
Postmodernism reintroduced that playful, ornamental, whimsical design to everything from homes to shoes to pop culture.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
"You are supposed to act grown up and not necessarily be playful or express things loudly, or struggle…"
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
She has opened two community libraries and has a playful scheme, where she places books in unexpected spaces, from barbershops to takeaways - and plans to expand on this work.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
I couldn’t imagine Papa as a child, carefree and playful.
From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani
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.
