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

“There was a certain level of mischief and magic that was happening because I was the least-known person on set,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s like this beacon that shines and says, ‘Come create mischief down here and you won’t get in trouble.

From Los Angeles Times

On the first evening, when Stokes hobbled around with what appeared to be a groin problem, his performance was convincing enough to draw concerns he might have done himself a serious mischief.

From BBC

Earhart was full of mischief and adventure, a natural leader with a modesty instilled by her mother, who was prone to invoking her Quaker background when it suited her.

From Los Angeles Times

However, mischief can cut in multiple directions, as parents in Oklahoma have figured out.

From Salon

Related Words

• catastrophe 
• evil 
• misconduct 
• playfulness www.thesaurus.com
• prank 
• sabotage 
• vandalism 
• wrongdoing