Meaning & use

playful

adjective·Everyday

Full of high spirits and fun, showing a light-hearted willingness to joke or amuse.

See it in a sentence

The puppy gave a playful nudge to its owner's hand.

Her playful tone made even the difficult meeting feel relaxed.

A note on using this word

Playful describes tone or manner and works well for both people and animals, unlike 'childish,' which often carries a negative judgment.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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