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kittenish

/ˈkɪtənɪʃ/
IPA guide

Other forms: kittenishly

Someone who's kittenish is fun-loving and playful, but also a little flirtatious. Your sister, although she's an adult, might jump up and down clapping her hands in a kittenish way whenever she wins a game.

Many behaviors that are common in children are considered kittenish in grown ups, especially women. A kittenish spirit might be part of an actress's signature style, for example, and you could also call kittenish behavior coquettish or coy. The word stems from the idea "playful as a kitten," and kitten is from the Old French chitoun, "little cat."

Definitions of kittenish
  1. adjective
    playful like a lively kitten
    synonyms: frisky
    playful
    full of fun and high spirits
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