playful
gb/plˈeɪfəl/ us/plˈeɪfəl/
B1
English
~ 9400
játékos, tréfás
B1
1
játékos
A2
Usage pattern:
a playful [child/animal/person]
The children were playful in the park, chasing each other around the swings.
A gyerekek játékosak voltak a parkban, és a hinták körül kergetőztek.
Our dog gets very playful in the evenings and brings us all his toys.
A kutyánk esténként nagyon játékos lesz, és odahordja nekünk az összes játékát.
She has a playful personality that makes people feel relaxed around her.
I’m not in a playful mood today; I just want to rest.
He gave her a playful shove and laughed.
Learner examples
The puppy is very playful and runs all day.
A kiskutya nagyon játékos, és egész nap futkos.
My little brother is playful and likes to joke.
Az öcsém játékos természetű, és szeret viccelődni.
Today the students are playful because it is the last day of school.
She is playful with her friends but quiet in class.
The cat becomes playful when you move the string.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "playful" with "playable". "Playful" describes a person, animal, or behavior that likes fun and games. "Playable" describes something that can be played, like a song or a video game. Learners may also use "playful" when they mean "flirty"; while playful behavior can be flirty, "playful" itself is more general and focuses on fun, not romance.
Meaning
liking to play and have fun
Collocations
playful puppy
|playful child
|playful kitten
|playful mood
|playful personality
|be playful
Synonyms
fun-loving (Emphasizes enjoying fun and entertainment, often socially, and may sound slightly more adult than playful.)
|
frisky (Often used for animals; suggests high physical energy and movement rather than joking.)
|
lively (Focuses on energy and activity in general, not specifically on playing or joking.)
Antonyms
serious (Focuses on being focused and not interested in games or jokes.)
|
solemn (Suggests very serious, almost grave behavior, the opposite of light-hearted playfulness.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|personality
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Liking to play, joke, or have fun in a happy way.
Showing a love of play, fun, or light-hearted activity, especially in a cheerful, energetic way.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a playful [remark/tone/smile/design]
The article has a playful tone, even though it discusses a serious topic.
A cikk hangvétele játékos, bár komoly témát tárgyal.
They exchanged playful banter during the meeting, keeping the atmosphere relaxed.
A megbeszélésen játékos évődés folyt közöttük, így oldott maradt a hangulat.
Her email was full of playful remarks that made everyone smile.
The architect chose playful shapes and bright colors for the new playground.
He gave her a playful smile to show he was only joking.
Learner examples
They had playful talk during dinner, so everyone laughed.
Vacsora közben játékosan beszélgettek, ezért mindenki nevetett.
He made a playful joke about his own cooking.
Egy játékos viccet mondott a saját főztjéről.
Her message was playful, not angry.
The movie has a playful style and many funny moments.
The teacher used a playful tone to make the lesson more fun.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "playful" with "ridiculous" or "silly". "Playful" is usually positive and gentle, while "ridiculous" can sound negative or critical. They may also think "playful" means the speaker does not care; in fact, you can be playful and still care about the topic.
Meaning
light and humorous in style
Collocations
playful banter
|playful remark
|playful tone
|playful joke
|playful smile
|playful design
Synonyms
lighthearted (Stresses the relaxed, happy feeling; does not always include a sense of play or joking.)
|
whimsical (Suggests imaginative, unusual, or fanciful playfulness, especially in art or design.)
Antonyms
serious (Describes language or style that is formal, important, or not meant as a joke.)
|
earnest (Emphasizes sincere, serious intention without joking or lightness.)
Themes
communication
|art
|relationships
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not serious in style or tone; light and fun, often with soft jokes or imagination.
Light-hearted and not serious in tone, style, or manner, often using gentle humor or imagination.
Grammar
Dictionary form
playful
IPA
GB/plˈeɪfəl/
US/plˈeɪfəl/
Syllables & stress
play - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (play)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: playful
Word family
Related words
Advanced or less common
replay
verb
Expressions
a playful smile
1/ə plˈeɪfəl smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
smile showing light-hearted joking
A smile that shows you are joking or being fun, not serious or angry.
Examples
- He gave her a playful smile before making his joke.
- She answered his question with a playful smile and no words.
a playful tone
1/ə plˈeɪfəl tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
light, joking way of speaking
A way of speaking that sounds light, fun, and not very serious.
Examples
- He used a playful tone to calm the nervous children.
- Her message had a playful tone, so I knew she was joking.
in a playful mood
1/ˈɪn ə plˈeɪfəl mˈud/
fixed phrase
feeling like playing or joking
Feeling like you want to play, joke, or have fun at that time.
Examples
- She was in a playful mood and kept teasing her brother.
- When he is in a playful mood, he tells lots of funny stories.
playful banter
1/plˈeɪfəl bˈæntɚ/
fixed phrase
friendly, light joking talk
Friendly, relaxed talk where people make small jokes with each other.
Examples
- There was a lot of playful banter between the hosts during the show.
- Their playful banter made the long train ride feel much shorter.