| / English Dictionary |
PLAYFUL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Full of fun and high spirits
Example:
playful children just let loose from school
Classified under:
Similar:
coltish; frolicky; frolicsome; rollicking; sportive (given to merry frolicking)
devilish; rascally; roguish (playful in an appealingly bold way)
elfin; elfish; elvish (usually good-naturedly mischievous)
arch; impish; implike; mischievous; pixilated; prankish; puckish; wicked (naughtily or annoyingly playful)
frisky; kittenish (playful like a lively kitten)
ludic (relating to play or playfulness)
mocking; quizzical; teasing (playfully vexing (especially by ridicule))
Attribute:
fun; playfulness (a disposition to find (or make) causes for amusement)
Antonym:
unplayful (completely lacking in playfulness)
Derivation:
playfulness (a festive merry feeling)
Context examples:
This nut, he continued, with playful solemnity, while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed capable of.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
He could not meet her in conversation, rational or playful.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
The genial, playful, puppyish side of him found little expression.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
She endeavoured to secure Jane in her interest; but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined interfering; and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness, and sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
I asked him what it was, and he said, with a sort of rapture in his voice and bearing:— "A kitten, a nice little, sleek playful kitten, that I can play with, and teach, and feed—and feed—and feed!"
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
He was in high spirits, doing everything with happy ease, and preeminent in all the lively turns, quick resources, and playful impudence that could do honour to the game; and the round table was altogether a very comfortable contrast to the steady sobriety and orderly silence of the other.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
You may believe me, when I heerd her voice, as I had heerd at home so playful—and see her humbled, as it might be in the dust our Saviour wrote in with his blessed hand—I felt a wownd go to my 'art, in the midst of all its thankfulness.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
He stood on his dignity, and when they attempted it, his warning snarl and bristling mane were anything but playful.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
I have had a little fit since I came into this room, as you may perceive, said she presently, with a playful smile, but it is over now; so let us sit down and be comfortable; for as to scolding you, Fanny, which I came fully intending to do, I have not the heart for it when it comes to the point.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
The hand, with fingers crooked and spread apart, rubbed his stomach in a playful way and rolled him from side to side.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
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