playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
1
: full of play : frolicsome, sportive
a playful kitten
2
playfully adverb
playfulness noun

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 Be thoughtful and playful with glassware, garnishes, ice, straws, etc. Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 For an even more playful take on this era, make paper snowflakes and ornaments to hang around the home. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2023 Streaming Deals on Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, Prime Video and More Streaming Services The Artful Dodger The Bottom Line A lightly playful take that neglects its literary pedigree. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2023 And each one is presented with a playful 70s retro aesthetic. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 Those playful idiots from outer space are starting to pack up their spacecraft, getting ready to leave for good. Heather Havrilesky, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The depth and range of flavors from Africa are finding their way into the mainstream spotlight more and more—from the playful jollof rice wars to a growing interest in tasting more of the global cuisine at restaurants. Kristin Braswell, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023 The two shared an appreciation for effortless fashion, and Brown, known for her playful ease, especially admired Parisian style. Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023 The decision would give the Lily Collins show a unique and playful vibe impossible to recreate anywhere else as well as provide a degree of authenticity. Caroline Brew, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'playful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of playful was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near playful

Cite this Entry

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playful. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

playful

adjective
play·​ful ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
1
: full of play : fond of playing
a playful kitten
2
: humorous
a playful tone of voice
playfully adverb
playfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on playful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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