playful
PLAYFL
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.”
adj
1
Fond of play; lighthearted and full of fun, like a young animal or child.
"The puppy gave her a playful nudge with its nose."
"He has a playful sense of humour that puts everyone at ease."
2
Not meant seriously; done in a joking or teasing spirit.
"She gave him a playful jab about his terrible cooking."
How to use playful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFull of fun and light teasing rather than seriousness.
Common pairings
playful banter
playful smile
playful mood
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Word forms
- Comparative
- playfuller, more playful
- Superlative
- playfullest, most playful
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."
Antonyms
unplayful
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.
