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Playful vs Contentious - What's the difference?

playful | contentious |

As adjectives the difference between playful and contentious

is that playful is liking play, prone to play frequently, such as a child or kitten; rather sportive while contentious is marked by heated arguments or controversy.

playful

English

Alternative forms

* playfull (archaic)

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • liking play, prone to play frequently, such as a child or kitten; rather sportive.
    • Actually, we are pretty playful in our romantic life.
  • funny, humorous, jesting, frolicsome.
    • John is a playful fellow.
    A party hat is a playful conical hat people wear at parties.
  • fun, recreational, not serious.
    • A brainteaser is a playful puzzle posed as a test of intelligence.
  • experimental.
    • He was a rather playful artist.

    Derived terms

    * playfully * playfulness

    contentious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 19 , author=Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Ukraine , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Ukraine, however, will complain long and hard about a contentious second-half incident when Marko Devic's shot clearly crossed the line before it was scrambled away by John Terry, only for the officials to remain unmoved.}}
  • Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * See also

    Derived terms

    * contentiously * contentiousness

    Related terms

    * contend * contender * contention

    References

    * *