play fight
Pretend to battle
Play fight describes mock combat—wrestling, sparring, or roughhousing—that mimics real fighting but without intent to harm.
Children and animals do it instinctively; adults might play fight with partners or friends.
The hyphenated form works as noun or verb: The puppies were play-fighting in the yard.
Also spelled as two words or one.
- mock battleSimulated combat for training
- wrestleEngage in physical combat
- tussleBrief physical struggle
- rough and tumbleDisorderly, physical conflict
- roughhouseRowdy physical play
spar · trust · laughter · tickling · tumble · horseplay · camaraderie · social learning · playfighting · bonding · affection · mimicry · grapple · game · playground · dodge · shove · teasing
seriousness of combat
play fightfight to the death
Contest ending in killing
brawl · combat · physical attack · assault · street fight
play, fight, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully