playful

adjective

ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
Definition of playfulnext
as in amusing
given to good-natured joking or teasing the little girl was lighthearted and playful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of playful The elevated loft is the fourth sleeping zone of the home, and is designated as the children’s quarters, giving the cabin a playful, camp-like feel. — Bridget Borgobello july 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026 The intimate and playful short has played widely on the festival circuit. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 July 2026 Waterhouse took the evening’s florals in a more playful direction. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026 Best Hotels & Resorts Americana Motor Hotel The playful design scheme of the Americana Motor Hotel is impossible to ignore. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playful
  1. amusing
  2. mischievous
  3. entertaining
  4. lively
  5. merry
  6. goofy
  7. frisky
  8. energetic
Adjective
  • Ritter, three separate times, called out the Legacy Lounge — which might not have been amusing to those who paid $225 for what was a free concert to everyone else.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Christopher Nolan discussed the writing process for his upcoming epic The Odyssey during a new interview with BBC News, and shared an amusing anecdote about his son being unimpressed with the filmmaker’s various accolades.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
Definition of amusing
Adjective
  • Advertisement Best of all is Deutch’s Gail, whose sunbeam demeanor barely conceals her flirty, mischievous side.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
  • The actress, 64, made her mark on the iconic ‘70s show as Nellie Oleson, Laura Ingalls’ mischievous classmate.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • Their ability to control possession and territory, while not always entertaining, is impressive.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The primary entertaining spaces are grand in scale, defined by soaring ceilings and walls of glass.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 July 2026
Definition of entertaining
Adjective
  • Inside, a lively party plays out — a cacophony of voices, skin, shimmer, bottles, joy and hormones on repeat.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
  • From creators Liz Heldens and Matt Ward, the as-yet-untitled series follows Heidi (Banks), who is fresh off a messy divorce and sets out to secure a lively second act for herself and her kids.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • No decision fatigue or awkward conversations to be had; the more, the merrier, baby!
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • Some may argue that the more the merrier applies as much to advocacy for social justice as to anything else.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • The film appears to mark a departure from Impacciatore’s recent roles that are imbued in her goofy, exuberant persona.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • His core driving philosophy is love in all its variety — from darkest depths to goofiest heights, always delivered with desperation.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of goofy
Adjective
  • If the Marbella Club is the grande dame of this Andalusian resort town, Puente Romano Marbella is its younger, friskier sister on the Golden Mile.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • Music, in fact, punctuates the intense dramatic story arcs in Wilde’s third directorial feature, an Edward Albee-like relationship dramedy set around a frisky dinner get-together between two couples in a San Francisco apartment building.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 1 July 2026
Definition of frisky
Adjective
  • Even small toe-taps or a light head bob accompanies the least energetic.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Adrian, creative and energetic from childhood on—and raised in the presence of movie cameras—became a filmmaker himself, fusing a passion for extreme skiing with his cinematic sensibility.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of energetic

Browse Nearby Words

playfellows
playful
playfully
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Cite this Entry

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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