mischief

[ mis-chif ]

noun

1. conduct or activity that playfully causes petty annoyance.
2. a tendency or disposition to tease, vex, or annoy.
3. a vexatious or annoying action.
4. harm or trouble, especially as a result of an agent or cause.

   Synonyms: hurt

5. an injury or evil caused by a person or other agent or cause.
6. a cause or source of harm, evil, or annoyance.
7. the devil.

mischief

/ ˈmɪstʃɪf /

noun

1. wayward but not malicious behaviour, usually of children, that causes trouble, irritation, etc
2. a playful inclination to behave in this way or to tease or disturb
3. injury or harm caused by a person or thing
4. a person, esp a child, who is mischievous
5. a source of trouble, difficulty, etc

   floods are a great mischief to the farmer

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischief¹

1250–1300; Middle English meschef < Old French, noun derivative of meschever to end badly, come to grief. See mis- ¹, achieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischief¹

C13: from Old French meschief disaster, from meschever to meet with calamity; from mes- mis- ¹+ chever to reach an end, from chef end, chief

Idioms and Phrases

see make mischief .

Synonym Study

See damage.

Example Sentences

The latter, from husband and wife duo Mister & Mischief, takes its cues from works such as “Encyclopedia Brown” and “Nancy Drew,” casting adults in the role of kid detectives.

From Los Angeles Times

“They’re up to mischief, it seems,” Raffensperger said.

From Salon

There is, however, plenty of precedence for Russian "mischief" in U.S. elections, particularly in crucial battleground states like Georgia.

From Salon

“They’re up to mischief it seems,” Raffensperger said about the Russians.

From Salon

His platoon commander said his admiration for Fuslilier Wilkes' wit, mischief and cheeky nature, which "made his life difficult", also made him hard to discipline.

From BBC

Related Words

• catastrophe
• evil
• misconduct
• playfulness
• prank
• sabotage
• vandalism
• wrongdoing