# playful

/ˈpɫeɪfəɫ/ (US) · /plˈeɪfəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/playful
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. liking to play

adjective · CEFR A2

full of energy and wanting to play, like a young child or a puppy.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. humorous or joking

adjective · CEFR B1

intended as a joke or not meant to be taken seriously.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. experimental or creative

adjective · CEFR B2

trying new things in a fun and creative way without worrying about rules.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The playful puppy chased its tail in the garden.
- Her playful comments during the meeting helped relax the nervous team.
- The author's playful tone masks the serious critique of social norms hidden within the narrative.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.