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

This transition from outside to inside, from past to future, is a perfectly playful introduction to The Shinmonzen, which is skilled at balancing a lightness of touch with a seriously luxurious hotel experience. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

The BellaBot Pro, a cat-like delivery robot, with an interactive screen that displays playful facial expressions, was also among the highlights. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

One image shows a side view of the cut, featuring a playful swoop that falls just above her shoulders, while another captures a sideways selfie showcasing the sleek style, accessorized with a white ribbon choker. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026

Here is a very small slice of his decades-long legacy, from raw electro-funk bombs to playful party techno to foggy dub excursions. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 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