kittenish

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   playful, lively, or mischievous in a way that resembles a young cat

   The puppy became kittenish when it discovered the ball of yarn.

2. 2
   adj

   playfully coy or flirtatious in manner

   Her kittenish smile made the serious photograph feel lighthearted.

Formed in English from kitten and the adjective suffix -ish, literally 'like a kitten.' Its later figurative use describes behavior considered playfully coy or flirtatious.

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