kittenish

Examples

• All

• She has this generation's white, even teeth, a kittenish face.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Leda, who had always been the forward, kittenish one, began to look confused and hurt.

  Fiction book (1994)

• The slightly younger cat has died, but the other is so happy to see him that she reverts into excited, kittenish behavior.

  Fiction book (1997)

• Sebastian takes his mother's hand and looks kittenish and contrite.

  Fiction book (1991)

• While the female was adored for her dainty walk and kittenish ways, the male was admired for his masterful whiskers: sixty instead of the usual forty-eight.

  Fiction book (2002)

• The children laughed and acted kittenish, chasing each other around the garden.

• Her kittenish manner made it hard for anyone to resist her charm at the party.

• He spoke with a kittenish tone, making everyone feel relaxed and playful.

Synonyms

F

frisky

vskittenish

33 3.2

Being very playful and full of energy

leans more to light, charming playfulness than pure energy

F

flirty

vskittenish

23 3.7

Playful actions that show romantic or sexual interest

is more gently playful and not always about attraction

F

flirtatious

vskittenish

20 5.3

Showing playful romantic or sexual interest in someone

is livelier and less direct about romantic or sexual signals

I

impish

vskittenish

6 6.1

Playfully naughty in a way that teases others

is similar in playfulness but implies flirtatious intent

W

winsome

vskittenish

5 7.8

Pleasant and charming in a simple, innocent way

is more teasing and lively than purely innocent charm

R

roguish

vskittenish

3 6.7

Showing playful, friendly mischief

is cuter and more overtly flirtatious rather than simply cheeky

C

coquettish

vskittenish

2 8.2

Acting playful and trying to attract someone's attention

is more innocent playfulness rather than deliberate attention seeking

C

chirpy

vskittenish

• Informal

2 3.1

Feeling happy and full of energy

is playful with a flirtatious edge rather than plain cheerfulness

C

coltish

vskittenish

1 7.8

Being playful and lively like a young horse

is softer and more coy rather than rough or boisterous

P

puppyish

vskittenish

1 4.2

Acting playful and eager, like a young dog

is less purely innocent and includes flirtatious manner

P

pixieish

vskittenish

8.2

Being playful and slightly naughty like a small friendly fairy

is more clearly about gentle flirtation rather than impish charm

S

scampish

vskittenish

6.3

Acting playful and slightly naughty, often doing small harmless tricks

is more about charming teasing aimed at attracting attention

P

puppylike

vskittenish

2.8

Acting playful and innocent like a young dog

adds a coy, attention seeking tone not present here

C

corky

vskittenish

7.0

Lively and slightly odd in a way that makes people smile

is more explicitly flirtatious rather than simply quirky

P

pícaro

vskittenish

• Literature

9.9

Playfully naughty in a way that shows teasing or flirtation

is cuter and more overtly seductive in its playful manner

Antonyms

S

serious

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

R

reserved

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Playful

mischievous

19 3.5

frisky

33 3.2

kittenish

1 7.3

playful

79 1.6

flirtatious

20 5.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology