playful

play·ful | \ ˈplā-fəl

How to pronounce playful (audio)

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Definition of playful

1 : full of play : frolicsome, sportive a playful kitten

2 : humorous, jocular

Other Words from playful Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about playful

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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 Following her Instagram Live video, Kloots shared intimate family videos with Cordero, including a video of the couple singing karaoke and playful footage of her husband dancing with their newborn son, Elvis, now 1. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, "Teary Amanda Kloots sings 'Live Your Life' with fans one last time after Nick Cordero dies," 7 July 2020 The two exchange some playful barbs, but Birdy's all business. — Matt Cabral, EW.com, "Perry Mason recap: Paul Drake delivers a new clue with some serious bite," 6 July 2020 This one includes a bold print with a playful ruffle detail on the front. — Christie Calucchia, Southern Living, "Lilly Pulitzer Just Discounted Over 700 Items for Its Huge Summer Sale," 29 June 2020 According to Outdoor Voices, the collaboration was inspired by a desire to get more women to break into cycling, which rarely offers up the sort of playful workout gear that other sports tend to do. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Latest Outdoor Voices Collaboration Goes Perfectly With Your Impulse Bike Buy," 24 June 2020 Eventually, during a brief conversation, Harbaugh threw out a playful recruiting pitch. — Matt Zenitz | Mzenitz@al.com, al, "Why an LSU pitcher is joining the football team," 22 June 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has produced a vast number of new terms, serious and (mostly) playful, to describe the predicaments of lockdown. — The Economist, "Johnson The rules of coronaspeak," 27 June 2020 Each seat is elegantly accented by a crisp cushion, while a few throw pillows add a little something playful. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Outdoor furniture sale offers up to 50 percent off deals on sectionals, patio umbrellas, lighting," 24 June 2020 Petersen’s bot of choice is Paro, an adorable, playful device from Japan that helps her patients feel less lonely. — Kate Knibbs, Wired, "There’s No Cure for Covid-19 Loneliness, but Robots Can Help," 22 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'playful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about playful

Dictionary Entries near playful

play for laughs

Statistics for playful

Last Updated

10 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playful. Accessed 13 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for playful

playful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of playful

: happy and full of energy : eager to play

: showing that you are having fun and not being serious

See the full definition for playful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

playful

play·ful | \ ˈplā-fəl

\

Kids Definition of playful

1 : full of energy and a desire for fun a playful kitten

2 : not serious : humorous a playful mood

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