playful

/ˈpleɪfl̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: playfuller · playfullest

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Enjoying play; sportive; prone to playing frequently, in the manner of a child or young pet (viz. puppy or kitten).

Adjective

Examples

Actually, we are pretty playful in our romantic life.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Funny; humorous; jesty; frolicsome; frisky.

Adjective

Examples

John is a playful fellow.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “playful” mean?

Enjoying play; sportive; prone to playing frequently, in the manner of a child or young pet (viz. puppy or kitten).

Is “playful” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.