mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent

the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations

—Herbert Spencer

2

: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation

especially : a person who causes mischief

He's a real mischief to his family.

3

a

: action that annoys or irritates

Halloween mischiefs

b

: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness

had mischief in his eyes

Synonyms

• devilishness
• devilment
• devilry
• deviltry
• diablerie
• espièglerie
• hob
• impishness
• knavery
• mischievousness
• rascality
• roguery
• roguishness
• shenanigan(s)
• waggery
• waggishness
• wickedness

Examples of mischief in a Sentence

It's hard to keep him out of mischief.

the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway

Recent Examples on the Web

Trick-or-treating did attract the youngest, but older kids continued making mischief. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 28 Nov. 2024

Known for his vibrant pop culture influences and playful, imaginative characters, Beaufort’s work blends elements of photography with a sense of whimsy and mischief. —Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

There are all these shots of them making mischief on the train from New York to Washington. —Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

The suspects, ages 15, 16 and 17, were each charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespassing and sixth-degree larceny, according to police. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English meschief, from Anglo-French, misfortune, hardship, from Old French meschever to come out badly, mes- + chief head, end — more at chief

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mischief

• malicious mischief

Kids Definition

mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: injury sense 2, harm

2

: a person or animal who causes mischief

3

: mischievous conduct or quality

a child gets into mischief

had mischief in their eyes