PLAYFULLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does playfully mean? 

• PLAYFULLY (adverb)
  The adverb PLAYFULLY has 1 sense:

1. in a playful manner

  Familiarity information: PLAYFULLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLAYFULLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a playful manner

Context example:

she loosened the half-hoop of diamonds on her left hand third finger and held it out to him playfully

Pertainym:

playful (full of fun and high spirits)

 Context examples 

He did not playfully shake him, as was his wont, or murmur soft love curses; but he whispered in his ear.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It was impossible to say to that sweet little surprised face, otherwise than lightly and playfully, that we must work to live.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She reached out to his arm and shook him playfully.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He whined pleadingly, and scurried playfully in and out of the underbrush.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“To be sure!” cried she playfully.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

On the evening previous to her being brought to my home, my mother had said playfully, “I have a pretty present for my Victor—tomorrow he shall have it.”

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

As she told me she tapped playfully with the heel of her boot on the stone slab and said:—"My poor little feet didn't make much noise then! I daresay poor old Mr. Swales would have told me that it was because I didn't want to wake up Geordie."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He backed away from her and began writhing and twisting playfully, curvetting and prancing, half rearing and striking his fore paws to the earth, struggling with all his body, from the wheedling eyes and flattening ears to the wagging tail, to express the thought that was in him and that was denied him utterance.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

She moved toward him a few steps, playfully, and then halted.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Marian had called on Martin in his room a short time before to announce her engagement, during which visit she had playfully inspected Martin's palm and told his fortune.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)