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frolicsome

frolicsome

1 7.6
Full of playful, lively energy
  • adjective
  • /ˈfrɒlɪksəm/
translation icon : juguetón
  • During the picnic, the frolicsome children played games and laughed under the sunny sky.

Examples

  • In mist or rain—which was almost always—the A9 was simply and superficially dangerous, but shorn of its grey fleece, it became almost frolicsome.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • By now, the frolicsome mood of the "Frenchmen" has spread, and loud laughter has all but drowned out conversation.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Contrary to more than a hundred years of steadily accumulating scholarly opinion, Pope never made the couplet look easy, even at his most frolicsome.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Thine Elenes are droll and frolicsome, Sephrenia of Ylara, Xanetia said.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • He painted scenes on old saws, scenes of old farm women, wagons, scythes, frolicsome boys and girls in fields of grain: images of his childhood in Croatia.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The frolicsome puppies jumped around in the grass, chasing each other's tails.

  • At the party, the frolicsome music made everyone want to dance and have fun.

Synonyms

merry
vsfrolicsome
114 1.0

Happy and lively, full of fun and energy

is more narrowly about playful, frolic-like behaviour rather than just cheer
lively
vsfrolicsome
111 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

is more about playful fun specifically, not general animation
playful
vsfrolicsome
79 1.6

Full of fun and energy and liking jokes or games

leans more toward general merry behaviour rather than specific play acts
joyful
vsfrolicsome
70 1.0

Feeling or showing great happiness

is related but focuses on playful actions rather than feeling alone
frisky
vsfrolicsome
33 3.2

Being very playful and full of energy

is similar but less about eagerness and more about general merriment
exuberant
vsfrolicsome
18 5.9

Very happy and full of energy

shares liveliness but is less about playful frolic and more intensity
bouncy
vsfrolicsome
16 2.0

Full of energy and cheerful movement

is about playful cheer rather than physical bouncing energy
ebullient
vsfrolicsome
5 8.2

Very lively and full of energy

overlaps in cheer but is more emotional than simple playful fun
effervescent
vsfrolicsome
5 7.1

Having lively, cheerful energy that makes others feel excited

matches in energy but is more about personality sparkle than play
convivial
vsfrolicsome
4 6.2

Friendly and cheerful when with other people, enjoying talk and laughter

is more about solitary or active playfulness than social friendliness
rollicking
vsfrolicsome
2 6.0

Lively and full of fun, making people laugh

is similar but stresses playful lightness rather than broad exuberance
mirthful
vsfrolicsome
1 6.3

Full of joy and laughter

emphasizes playful action rather than simply joy or laughter
spirited
vsfrolicsome
1 4.1

Full of energy and enthusiasm

is similar but places more weight on playful merry activity
coltish
vsfrolicsome
1 7.8

Being playful and lively like a young horse

is like this but without the young animal or boisterous image
frabjous
vsfrolicsome
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Something very delightful and playful that makes people happy

relates by playfulness but is more fanciful and whimsical in mood
sportive
vsfrolicsome
  • Literature
1 7.3

Playful and lively, someone enjoys small jokes and games

is similar but focuses on carefree playful behaviour rather than all joy
frolicky
vsfrolicsome
8.2

Playful and lively in a happy, energetic way

is the same idea but not a different form or register
larky
vsfrolicsome
  • UK
7.4

Playful and silly in a way that makes people laugh

focuses more on active playful action than on teasing or jokes
zingingly fun
vsfrolicsome
  • Informal
8.7

Full of lively, exciting fun, like a great party or game

is similar but more intense, stressing excitement over gentle play

Antonyms

182 1.3

Not interesting or lively

grave
  • Formal
181 4.2

Very serious and needing careful attention

How Playful

rollicking
2 6.0
frolicsome
1 7.6
frisky
33 3.2
playful
79 1.6

Surface Forms

frolicsome positive

Morphology

frolicsome = frolic (transparent) = frolic + some

The adjective is directly formed from 'frolic' with the suffix '-some' meaning 'inclined to' or 'characterized by', so the sense is easily derived.

Etymology

Frolicsome combines the lively word frolic, meaning 'playful fun', with the ending -some, meaning 'full of', as in wholesome. So, frolicsome describes someone who is 'full of playful and lively fun'.