playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl 

1

: full of play : frolicsome, sportive

a playful kitten

2

: humorous, jocular

playfully

ˈplā-fə-lē 

adverb

playfulness noun

Synonyms of playful

• amusing
• mischievous
• entertaining
• lively
• merry
• goofy
• frisky
• energetic
• sportive
• frolicsome
• antic
• happy
• delightful
• rollicking

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

The real gem of Forth is Il Premio, a glam Italian steakhouse that would make any mob wife feel right at home with its moody lighting, mahogany tones, black subway tile, and a playful horse motif. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Rituals is already active in the youth mental health space as cofounder of Super Chill, a program that uses playful mind and body exercises to help children recognize their emotions and develop mental resilience. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Even when Monét isn’t being quite as playful as on past releases, her personality sparkles brighter than her esteemed guests. — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026

McMillan was aware of his big game in the moment on Sunday, and even shouted out Smith on the sideline, shoving his face in a camera and letting out some playful bravado like Smith once did. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

playful

adjective

play·​ful ˈplā-fəl 

1

: full of play : fond of playing

a playful kitten

2

: humorous

a playful tone of voice

playfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

playfulness noun