playful

79 1.6

Full of fun and energy and liking jokes or games

adjective
/ˈpleɪfəl/

: juguetón

The puppy is extremely playful and loves to chase after its tail.
a playful attitude
a playful nature
playful activities

Serious to playful, playful to cheeky and back to serious.

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Examples

I thought it was playful banter.

The Incredibles (2004)
I was in a playful mood.

The Invitation (2022)
But she just has a super playful way about her.
It's it's a very playful and curious approach.
Something a bit more playful.

TÁR (2022)
Oh, yes, she's getting a bit more playful now, bit more confident.
He was so funny and playful and silly.
Wow, that really is a very fun, playful, colorful palette.
The surf looks mild and green in the late afternoon light, playful and benign.

Fiction book (1994)
As they looked over the high wall, Emma felt her stomach do playful little leaps and bounces.

Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

merry

vsplayful

114 1.0

Happy and lively, full of fun and energy

is more about joking and game-like behaviour

lively

vsplayful

111 1.3

Having a lot of energy and enthusiasm

focuses more on joking and light amusement than sheer animation

cheerful

vsplayful

111 1.0

Happy in a way you show with a smile or friendly actions

is more specifically oriented toward joking and games

energetic

vsplayful

93 1.6

Full of energy and active

is less about vigor and more about gentle, gameful amusement

vibrant

vsplayful

81 4.1

Full of energy and activity that makes people feel excited

is subtler, concentrating on fun and light-hearted amusement

frisky

vsplayful

33 3.2

Being very playful and full of energy

is more about gentle fun and light amusement rather than vigor

exuberant

vsplayful

18 5.9

Very happy and full of energy

is milder, centring on light teasing and enjoyment

bouncy

vsplayful

16 2.0

Full of energy and cheerful movement

is more about gentle joking and game-like fun than bouncing energy

jovial

vsplayful

12 3.9

Happy and friendly in a lively, joking way

is more about joking and light amusement

jolly

vsplayful

7 2.5

Fun you get from playful actions like jokes or pranks

leans more toward teasing games and lighthearted antics

sprightly

vsplayful

6 5.7

Full of energy and lively

is more about fun and joking rather than merely energetic movement

high-spirited

vsplayful

6 3.9

Full of energy and excitement

is gentler and lighter in tone rather than intensely energetic

ebullient

vsplayful

5 8.2

Very lively and full of energy

is milder, centring on light teasing and light enjoyment

spirited

vsplayful

1 4.1

Full of energy and enthusiasm

is more about carefree play and joking than forceful energy

frolicsome

vsplayful

1 7.6

Full of playful, lively energy

is less specifically about frolics and more about gentle fun

sportive

vsplayful

Literature

1 7.3

Playful and lively, someone enjoys small jokes and games

is more broadly fond of play and light amusement

larky

vsplayful

7.4

Playful and silly in a way that makes people laugh

is more broadly light and carefree rather than only joking

gamesome

vsplayful

Archaic

8.8

Likely to play and tease others in a lively way

is more generally lighthearted and fond of simple fun

Antonyms

serious

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

Compounds

playful banter

Informal

1 3.5

Friendly joking talk where people tease each other

playful jab

Informal

1 4.6

A short teasing remark that makes someone laugh without hurting them

playful spirit

1 3.7

A lively, friendly way of acting that likes fun and makes people laugh

playful blob

7.0

A rounded shape that looks fun and friendly

playful catitude

Slang

9.7

A fun, carefree way of behaving like a curious, slightly naughty cat

playful meow

4.5

A light, friendly sound a cat makes to invite play

playful minx

Informal

9.3

A woman who teases and flirts in a lively, fun way

playful nickname

Informal

3.7

A friendly funny name people give someone

playful bant

Informal

7.9

Light joking talk between people to make each other laugh

playful pinch

Informal

3.1

A light squeeze on someone's skin to tease or show affection

playful whap

Informal

5.7

A light quick hit with a hand or pillow given in a friendly way

How Playful

mischievous

19 3.5

impish

6 6.1

playful

79 1.6

high-spirited

6 3.9

lighthearted

17 3.7

Surface Forms

playful positive

playfuller comparative

playfullest superlative

Morphology

playful = play (transparent) = play + ful

The adjective is a regular formation from the noun 'play' plus '-ful' meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by', which directly matches the given sense.

Etymology

The word playful comes from the simple word play, which means 'game' or 'fun', plus the ending -ful meaning 'full of'. So, playful describes someone who is 'full of play' — lively and ready to joke or play games.