Play is a universal aspect of human nature and has traditionally been studied primarily in developmental psychology and evolutionary biology. However, recent research has begun to find out how playfulness in adults can be associated with various positive outcomes. For instance, some findings suggest that playfulness is associated with divergent thinking (Proyer, 2012), emotional intelligence (Hart & Holmes, 2022), and subjective well-being (Yue et al., 2016). Furthermore, playfulness in close relationships has been shown to contribute to greater relationship satisfaction (Proyer, 2012; Vanderbleek, 2011). However, the exact pathways through which playfulness in relationship enhances satisfaction are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationships between playful behavior in relationship, dispositional playfulness, quality of communication and relationship satisfaction, as well as to explore the types and functions of play in romantic relationships. The study involved a total of 602 participants aged 18 to 71 who completed an online survey. Results indicated that while dispositional playfulness was not significantly related to relationship satisfaction, perceived playful behavior in relationship had a positive effect. Quality of communication emerged as a partial mediator, where playful behavior led to better communication and, in turn, greater satisfaction. Additionally, nine main categories of play and seven functions of play in relationship were identified. In conclusion, the results highlight the potential benefits of incorporating play into romantic relationships and the ways in which it exerts its influence, which could help in developing interventions aimed at improving romantic relationships.