playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl How to pronounce playful (audio)
Synonyms of playfulnext
1
: full of play : frolicsome, sportive
a playful kitten
2
playfully 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 elevated loft is the fourth sleeping zone of the home, and is designated as the children’s quarters, giving the cabin a playful, camp-like feel. Bridget Borgobello july 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026 Waterhouse took the evening’s florals in a more playful direction. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 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 For styling inspiration, take a cue from the Broadway star and balance the statement bottoms with a simple top, or lean all the way in with a floral-on-floral look or a playful pattern mix. Amanda Le, InStyle, 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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 adverb
playfulness noun

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