SINCE 1828

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sportive

play

adjective sport·ive \ ˈspȯr-tiv \

Definition of sportive

1 a :frolicsome, playful

b :ardent, wanton

2 :of or relating to sports and especially field sports

—

sportively

adverb

—

sportiveness

noun

See sportive defined for kids

Examples of sportive in a Sentence

a sportive pastor who began every sermon with a joke

First Known Use of sportive

1593

sportive Synonyms

Synonyms

antic, coltish, elfish, fay, frisky, frolicsome, larky, rollicking, sportful, playful

Antonyms

earnest, serious-minded, sober, sobersided

Related Words

coy, kittenish; gay, happy, lighthearted, whimsical; energetic, frolic, jocund, lively, merry, spirited, sprightly, spunky, vivacious; devilish, impish, knavish, mischievous, pixie (also pixy), rascally, roguish; amusing, diverting, enjoyable, entertaining, fun, pleasurable; dabbling, frivolous, goofy, silly, trifling; delightful, pleasant, pleasing; jesting, jocose, jocular, joking, prankish, teasing

Near Antonyms

dutiful, responsible; grave, grim, serious, solemn, somber (or sombre), stern, stolid; no-nonsense, priggish, starchy, stuffy; decorous, formal, proper, sedate, staid; guarded, inhibited, restrained

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Examples: sportive in a Sentence