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.

The variety is impressive, with a mix of options that are polished and playful. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Waterhouse took the evening’s florals in a more playful direction. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026 Style with green satin pouch by Prada, Khaite python-strap sandals, and a semiprecious lapis lazuli bracelet for a playful mix of textures. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 2 July 2026 Also, the pool area, now painted in a playful shade called Carrot Orange, has more seating and a photo booth nearby. — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 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 7 Jul. 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

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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