Word
playful
Phoneticsplay·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɫeɪfəɫ/
UK/plˈeɪfəl/
Definitions
01liking to play
A2 · Elementary
adj. full of energy and wanting to play, like a young child or a puppy.
adj. inclined to engage in play or physical activity for amusement; often used to describe animals or children.
“The playful kitten kept jumping at the shadows on the wall.”
“The playful puppy spent the entire afternoon chasing its own tail across the lawn, much to the amusement of the neighbours.”
02humorous or joking
B1 · Intermediate
adj. intended as a joke or not meant to be taken seriously.
adj. characterised by lighthearted humour or jesting; not intended to be serious or offensive.
“He gave her a playful push and told her she was being silly.”
“Although his comments seemed critical at first, his playful tone suggested he was merely teasing his colleagues during the break.”
Synonyms
03experimental or creative
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. trying new things in a fun and creative way without worrying about rules.
adj. marked by an experimental or non-traditional approach to a task or medium, often involving creative risk-taking.
“The artist used a playful mix of bright colours and strange shapes.”
“The architect's playful design incorporated sliding boards between floors, challenging the traditional notion of a corporate office space.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English pleiful, equivalent to play + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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