Playful

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpleɪfÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -eɪfÉ™l, -eɪfÊŠl

Alternative forms

• playfull archaic

Origin

From Middle English pleiful, equivalent to play + -ful.

Full definition of playful

Adjective

1. liking play, prone to play frequently, such as a child or kitten; rather sportive.Actually, we are pretty playful in our romantic life.
2. funny, humorous, jesting, frolicsome.John is a playful fellow.A party hat is a playful conical hat people wear at parties.
3. fun, recreational, not serious.A brainteaser is a playful puzzle posed as a test of intelligence.
4. experimental.He was a rather playful artist.

Derived terms

• playfully
• playfulness