half-playful

Mr. Kelley was best known for transforming everyday craft materials like buttons, beads, coloring books and afghan blankets into haunting, half-playful artworks that addressed issues of childhood, memory and social dysfunction.

L.A. Artist Transformed Everyday Craft Materials Into Art Kelly Crow 2012

There was that tone, the half-playful, half-concerned voice of a mother knowing her son was old enough to be fooling around with girls.

30 Days Of Night TIM LIBBON 2010

They spent all their time in playing gently, in bathing in the river, in making love in a half-playful fashion, in eating fruit and sleeping.

The Time Machine, by H. G. Wells Herbert George 2006

Such is the speech, Phaedrus, half-playful, yet having a certain measure of seriousness, which, according to my ability, I dedicate to the god.

thispain Diary Entry thispain 2006

Such is the speech, Phaedrus, half-playful, yet having a certain measure of seriousness, which, according to my ability, I dedicate to the god.

The Symposium 2006

If ever she delayed compliance, it was only to hear them repeated, and to enjoy her child's soft, half-playful, half-petulant urgency.

Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte 2004

I was irritated by her evasiveness, and I made a grab, half-playful, half-annoyed, at the turban.

The White Mountains John Christopher 2003

I was irritated by her evasiveness, and I made a grab, half-playful, half-annoyed, at the turban.

The White Mountains John Christopher 2003

Observing that I am still standing near the door, he makes a half-serious, half-playful motion with his hand, and points to a chair.

Hunger 2003

It was an old game; the two of them had been trading insults and half-playful punches ever since they'd become partners.

Phule me twice Asprin, Robert 2001