US /ˈpleɪfl̩/
adj Freq #12734

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    Full of fun and energy; wanting to play.

    The playful children just let loose from school.

  2. 2
    adj

    Said or done in a light, joking way rather than seriously.

    She gave him a playful smile.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · full of fun and energy;... livelyfrisky
2 adj · said or done in a light,... humorousjesty
Word family
Derived forms nonplayfuloverplayfulplayfullyplayfulnessunplayful

Etymology

From Middle English pleiful, equivalent to play + -ful.

View etymology graph ->

Topics

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