playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
Synonyms of playfulnext
1
: full of play : frolicsome, sportive
a playful kitten
2
: humorous, jocular
playfully
ˈplā-fə-lē How to pronounce playful (audio)
adverb
playfulness noun

Synonyms of 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
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.
Brad Pitt just can’t resist a playful shot at his friend George Clooney. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 One such scene that appears captured, not composed, arises when a playful exchange about AccRite’s dead son on a job site goes too far. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026 No detail is overlooked—from antiques and scents to cheeky notes tucked in unexpected corners, the experience is intimate, playful, and deeply personal. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026 Wearing something slightly more playful also helped keep the whole day from feeling too serious or dramatic. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playful

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of playful was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

play forward
playful
play games
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Cite this Entry

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playful. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

playful

adjective
play·​ful ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
1
: full of play : fond of playing
a playful kitten
2
: humorous
a playful tone of voice
playfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce playful (audio)
adverb
playfulness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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