How Do You Spell PLAYFUL?

Pronunciation: [plˈe͡ɪfə͡l] (IPA)

The word "playful" is spelled with a "y" instead of an "i" because it is derived from the word "play", which has the same sound as "y". According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the pronunciation of "playful" is /ˈpleɪfəl/. The first syllable is stressed, and the "y" sound is represented by the phoneme /eɪ/. The second syllable has a schwa sound /ə/, and the final syllable is pronounced with an "l" sound /l/. Overall, the phonetic transcription of "playful" accurately represents its pronunciation.

PLAYFUL Meaning and Definition

  1. Playful is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is lively, cheerful, and inclined to engage in or provoke fun and laughter. It is a quality that exudes joy and a sense of enjoyment in various activities, interactions, and situations. A playful person is typically characterized by their light-hearted and amusing demeanor, often exhibiting a mischievous or spirited nature that is commonly associated with childhood innocence.

    When referring to an object, a playful item might possess features or attributes that encourage fun and amusement. For instance, a toy with vibrant colors, interactive features, or whimsical designs would be considered playful. Similarly, a playful environment or setting might include elements that inspire laughter, curiosity, or spontaneity - such as a playground with slides, swings, and other recreational installations.

    Being playful often involves engaging in games, joking, or engaging in playful banter. It can also involve displaying behaviors like teasing, tickling, or engaging in harmless pranks. Playfulness is not restricted to children; adults can also exhibit a playful nature, embracing a sense of freedom and curiosity that brings joy and delight.

    In summary, playful is an adjective that describes someone or something filled with liveliness, amusement, and a disposition for fun and laughter. From humorous individuals to entertaining objects or environments, playfulness encompasses a range of qualities and actions associated with joy and enjoyable experiences.

  2. Full of play; sportive.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PLAYFUL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PLAYFUL

Etymology of PLAYFUL

The etymology of the word "playful" can be traced back to the Old English word "plegian" meaning "to exercise, to frolic, to dance". It derived from the Proto-Germanic word "pleganą", which shares the same meaning. Furthermore, this Proto-Germanic term is thought to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*dlegh-", meaning "to engage oneself, to make an effort". Over time, the Old English "plegian" evolved into "plegig", which eventually transformed into the Middle English word "playful" by the 14th century, retaining the sense of engaging in activities or games.

Similar spelling words for PLAYFUL

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: