playful
Playful (adj) means Fond of play; lighthearted and full of fun, like a young animal or child. Example: “The puppy gave her a playful nudge with its nose.”
How to use playful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of fun and light teasing rather than seriousness.
Word forms
playfuller comparative, more playful comparative, playfullest superlative, most playful superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The puppy gave her a _____ nudge with its nose.
Etymology
From Middle English pleiful — play plus the suffix -ful, "full of play."
Rhymes for playful
See all rhymes for playful →Frequently asked questions
What does “playful” mean?
The word “playful” means fond of play; lighthearted and full of fun, like a young animal or child. In plain terms, full of fun and light teasing rather than seriousness.
How do you pronounce “playful”?
“Playful” is pronounced PLAYFL (/ˈpleɪfl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “playful” in a sentence?
Here is “playful” used in a sentence: “The puppy gave her a playful nudge with its nose.”
What part of speech is “playful”?
“Playful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “playful” come from?
The word “playful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English pleiful — play plus the suffix -ful, "full of play.".
Is “playful” a common word?
“Playful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “playful” have?
“Playful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fond of play; lighthearted and full of fun, like a young animal or child.