playful

adjective

play·ful ˈplā-fəl

Synonyms of playful

: full of play : frolicsome, sportive

a playful kitten

: humorous, jocular

playfully

ˈplā-fə-lē

adverb

playfulness noun

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.

As seen above, even a hot pink top welcomes a playful edge to a classic plaid midi-skirt and chunky boots. — India Roby, Glamour, 27 Aug. 2026 Kids zip by on bikes, their playful banter a reminder that life marches on. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Stalter and Lyons respectively play the chief comfort officer and chief style officer in the playful video set in a fictional Vivaia office; Buanne also makes a cameo as Lyons’ assistant. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 Though the character is based on the author, the rest of this smart thriller’s story is fictionalized, a playful metatake that serves as both an ode to Highsmith’s brilliance and a twisty ride that’s sure to leave audiences surprised. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Playful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playful. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

playful

adjective

play·ful ˈplā-fəl

: full of play : fond of playing

a playful kitten

: humorous

a playful tone of voice

playfully

-fə-lē

adverb

playfulness noun

playful

adjective

Synonyms of playful

Examples of playful in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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