mischief

American  

[mis-chif] / ˈmɪs tʃɪf /

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.

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mischief British  

/ 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

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mischief Idioms  

1. see make mischief.

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Related Words

See damage.

Etymology

Origin of mischief

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

Example Sentences

“We see potential for seasonal-adjustment mischief in the January data,” said Richard Moody, chief U.S. economist at Regions Financial.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 8, 2026

Nat wants to prove she’s a good ghost, not one of the bad ones who cause mischief.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

"It will be suits and cocktail dresses, and you know me, mysterious mischief, so bring your presents, your presence and your humour!"

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

We reached for bread that pulls apart like buttery clouds, cakes that lean dense and generous, desserts that feel like heirlooms but behave with a little mischief.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

It was a two-seater with a window, so if there was mischief, Grandpappy could look out and see who the culprits were.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

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