Frolicsome

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈfrɒlɪksəm/

Definitions

1. Filled with lively energy and playful spirit while engaging in cheerful activities
2. Displaying a joyful and spirited manner with energetic playfulness
3. Marked by an exuberant and lighthearted behavior that suggests fun and enjoyment

Etymology: "Frolicsome" is a plain compound: the noun "frolic" with the suffix "-some," which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "characterized by" or "inclined to" that thing. A frolicsome person or animal is therefore one full of frolic, the playful, lively behaviour the noun names. "Frolic" itself was borrowed into English from Dutch "vrolijk," meaning "merry" or "joyful," and in its earliest English use it often carried a sense of cheerful merriment or a lively party. The Dutch word is related to the German "fröhlich," also meaning "happy," which shows the same core idea of gladness across the two languages. The suffix "-some" is the old Germanic element found in words like "handsome" and "tiresome," and it has been productive in English since Old English times. Attaching it to "frolic" was a natural step, giving English a single word for something that is both playful and full of high spirits.

Synonyms: playful, frisky, mischievous

Antonyms: serious, sullen