Waggish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Displaying a sense of playfulness and humor, this term refers to a cheerful disposition that often involves light teasing and jesting
2. Relating to a playful and mischievous nature, it embodies a humorous spirit that seeks to entertain through clever jokes and antics
3. Characterized by a lighthearted and joking manner that amuses others

Etymology: "Waggish" is built from "wag," a word that once meant a rogue or mischief-maker rather than a joker. The source sense is "waghalter," a term for a person destined for the gallows, the rogue who would one day be hanged, so a "wag" was originally a scamp whose misbehaviour was expected to end badly. Over time the sense softened from roguish troublemaker to a playful wit who enjoys a joke. The "-ish" ending, found in words like "childish" or "reddish," means "having the character of" or "somewhat like." A waggish remark is therefore one that has the quality of a wag: teasing, mischievous, slightly impish, rather than cruel or serious.

Synonyms: jocular, humorous, playful

Antonyms: serious, grave, solemn