playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl 

1

: full of play : frolicsome, sportive

a playful kitten

2

: humorous, jocular

playfully

ˈplā-fə-lē 

adverb

playfulness noun

Synonyms of playful

• amusing
• mischievous
• entertaining
• lively
• merry
• goofy
• frisky
• energetic
• sportive
• frolicsome
• antic
• happy
• delightful
• rollicking

Examples of playful in a Sentence

She's an old dog, but she's still very playful.

He had a playful expression on his face.

a playful tone of voice

You're certainly in a playful mood!

She gave him a light playful slap on the knee.

Recent Examples on the Web

And as eye makeup continues its renaissance–with colorful liners, statement shadows and playful mascaras everywhere from the catwalks to TikTok–there’s never been a better time to experiment. — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 24 July 2026

The pancake feels like a perfect example of that philosophy, playful, indulgent, and layered with the kind of attention that turns a late night craving into one of the city’s most memorable brunch dishes. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

An Emily Henry novel announces warmth, wit, emotional accessibility, and optimism through bright palettes, graphic illustration, and playful typography. — Madelyn Johnson, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

For weekend plans, that might mean pairing a flowy dress with a playful handbag; for date night, don’t be afraid to show some skin in a cutout number. — Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl 

1

: full of play : fond of playing

a playful kitten

2

: humorous

a playful tone of voice

playfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

playfulness noun