playful

playful — adjective

1. showing cheerful energy and a wish to tease, run around, or play games.

1.形容詞B2
釋義

showing cheerful energy and a wish to tease, run around, or play games.

例句

The playful puppy kept stealing Leo's socks from the laundry basket.

playful + animal before noun

After lunch, Maya grew playful and chased bubbles across the yard.

grow playful after linking verb

同義詞
  • lively

    broader and more about visible energy than about games or teasing

  • fun-loving

    stresses a general love of enjoyment and social fun

  • mischievous

    often adds the idea of small tricks or mild trouble

  • frisky

    often used for animals or children moving around with energy

反義詞
  • serious

    without a playful wish to joke or play

  • quiet

    without lively playful movement

  • listless

    lacking energy or interest

文法句型

a playful puppy

grow playful

become playful

用法筆記

Often describes children, pets, or behavior in relaxed situations. Distinguish from adjective/2: a playful puppy wants to play, but a playful remark is simply joking.

常見錯誤

❌The lamp is playful.
✅The kitten is playful.' / 'The lamp has a playful design.
💡This sense usually describes a person, animal, or behavior that wants to play, not an object by itself.

2. showing a joking, lively feeling and not meant as a serious statement or action.

2.形容詞B2
釋義

showing a joking, lively feeling and not meant as a serious statement or action.

例句

Jin sent a playful text about arriving in a gold limousine.

playful + message

Her playful smile told Sam the warning was only a joke.

playful + smile

同義詞
  • teasing

    often points to a joke aimed at a person

  • humorous

    broader and often more deliberate or crafted

  • light-hearted

    warmer and gentler, with less direct joking

  • cheeky

    slightly bold or rude in a fun way

反義詞
  • serious

    meant to be taken fully seriously

  • formal

    careful and proper rather than light or joking

  • stern

    strict and not playful in mood

文法句型

a playful smile

a playful comment

sound playful

用法筆記

Common with nouns such as smile, comment, message, touch, style, and colors. Distinguish from adjective/1: a playful child wants to play, but a playful design just gives a light joking feeling.

常見錯誤

❌The lawyer gave a playful answer in court.
✅The lawyer gave a serious answer in court.' / 'The lawyer gave a playful answer at dinner.
💡Playful usually sounds light and joking, so it does not fit a formal serious context unless that contrast is intended.