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waggishly

waggishly

7.7
In a playful joking way to make people laugh
  • adverb
  • /ˈwæɡɪʃli/
  • Literature
translation icon : jocosamente
  • The comedian delivered his jokes waggishly, leaving the audience in stitches.

Examples

  • She waggishly teased her friend for forgetting the punchline of the joke.

  • His face was mercurial and lighthearted; a green cap clung waggishly to the side of his head; dark hair hung below, almost to his shoulders.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • He told the children a story waggishly, making them laugh at all the silly parts.

Synonyms

jokingly
vswaggishly
27 2.0

Said or done as a joke and not meant seriously

is more a general playful manner than a direct joke
playfully
vswaggishly
18 1.4

In a fun, teasing way

is more the habitual joking manner than simple light fun
hilariously
vswaggishly
  • Informal
12 2.5

In a very funny way that makes people laugh

is much milder and focuses on playful joking rather than extreme comedy
comically
vswaggishly
11 3.9

In a funny way that makes people laugh

is a lighter personal joking manner rather than planned comic performance
amusingly
vswaggishly
5 3.0

In a funny way that makes people laugh

is the personal joking manner that may not aim only to entertain
laughingly
vswaggishly
5 2.9

In a happy way that shows you find something funny

is more the joking habit or style, not only visible laughter
humorously
vswaggishly
5 3.3

In a funny way that makes people laugh

is the personal playful manner rather than only making laugh
teasingly
vswaggishly
3 3.7

In a playful way that makes someone laugh or feel a little annoyed

is playful joking without the aim of provoking or annoying
facetiously
vswaggishly
3 8.1

In a joking way that is not meant to be taken seriously

is friendlier and less likely to sound sarcastic or dismissive
devilishly
vswaggishly
2 7.2

In a playful, slightly naughty way that shows mischief

is lighter and more friendly rather than having a wicked edge
wittily
vswaggishly
1 6.1

In a quick, clever way that makes people laugh

is more broad playful joking rather than sharp cleverness
cheekily
vswaggishly
  • Informal
1 6.2

In a rude but playful way that shows little respect

is playful without the same level of rudeness or impudence
goofily
vswaggishly
  • Informal
1 4.2

In a silly, awkward way that looks funny

is gentler humor aimed at joking rather than awkward silliness
kiddingly
vswaggishly
1 3.6

To say or do something in a joking way without being serious

is a general joking style rather than specific teasing remarks
impishly
vswaggishly
1 6.7

To act in a playful and slightly naughty way that seems friendly

is playful joking but less focused on mischievous boldness
roguishly
vswaggishly
1 7.3

In a playful way that breaks small rules to make people laugh

is a joking manner without the same cheeky, rough charm
clownishly
vswaggishly
1 6.4

In a silly, foolish way like a clown

is more witty and verbal rather than physically foolish play
jocularly
vswaggishly
1 7.1

In a joking way to make people laugh

is more about a friendly playful personal style
drolly
vswaggishly
1 6.9

In a funny, slightly odd way that makes people smile

is more overtly playful and lively than quiet odd wit
puckishly
vswaggishly
1 9.6

To act in a playful and slightly naughty way

is more general joking style rather than sly mischief
sidesplittingly
vswaggishly
  • Informal
1 8.1

In a way that makes people laugh a lot

is a softer, light-hearted joking manner rather than uproarious comedy
jestingly
vswaggishly
6.4

In a joking way that is not serious

is playful but less about deliberately unserious remarks
jollily
vswaggishly
4.5

In a cheerful and lively way

is more about joking habit rather than simple cheerfulness
banteringly
vswaggishly
  • Informal
7.7

In a playful, teasing way that shows you are joking

is more a personal joking tone, not limited to conversational teasing
zanily
vswaggishly
  • Informal
8.2

In a silly, funny way that makes people laugh

is a milder, friendlier joking style rather than wild silliness
wackily
vswaggishly
  • Informal
8.0

In a funny, strange way that makes people laugh

is more ordinary playful joking rather than eccentric craziness
campily
vswaggishly
8.8

In a very dramatic, playful way that makes people laugh

is natural joking manner rather than stagey or deliberately artificial
killingly
vswaggishly
  • Informal
9.6

In a way that is very funny and makes people laugh

is a gentler playful style rather than producing intense laughter

Antonyms

1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

solemnly
  • Formal
57 4.2

To speak or act in a serious and respectful way

How Playful

naughtily
1 5.1
waggishly
  • Literature
7.7
drolly
1 6.9
playfully
18 1.4

Surface Forms

waggishly positive
waggisher comparative
waggishest superlative

Morphology

waggishly = waggish (transparent) = waggish + ly

Regular adverbial formation from the adjective 'waggish' yields the meaning 'in a playful or joking manner' directly.

Etymology

Waggishly comes from the simple verb wag, which means 'to move', like a dog wagging its tail. A 'wag' also came to mean 'a joker', and from that waggish and then waggishly grew to mean 'in a joking, playful way'.