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

Derived Forms

• ˈplayfulness, noun
• ˈplayfully, adverb

Other Words From

• playful·ly adverb
• playful·ness noun
• half-playful adjective
• half-playful·ly adverb
• half-playful·ness noun
• un·playful adjective
• un·playful·ly 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

But “Wicked” will delight fans of the stage production as a faithful adaptation that is at once playful but reverent to the iconic “Defying Gravity.”

From Los Angeles Times

Hill grew up in Southeast London in an eclectic and playful household with a set designer mother and an actor father.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s something sophisticated at work here, both pragmatic and playful.

From Los Angeles Times

This mother is playful, artistic, gentle, confused, unsure and loving.

From Los Angeles Times

As I toured the show’s playful set, with its distinctive brightly-coloured staircase, I picked up a few clues as to how the director’s despair will be reflected this time around.

From BBC

Related Words

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