noun

mischief

MIHS-cheef

noun

Playful behaviour that causes minor trouble or annoyance, without real malice.

"The twins were clearly up to mischief the moment they went quiet."

"A glint of mischief flashed in her eyes before she hid his keys."

Harm or damage caused to someone or something.

"The storm did a fair amount of mischief to the roof."

How to Use Mischief

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHarmless troublemaking, or sometimes real damage.

Memory tip

When someone has "a mischievous look," it usually means playful trouble, not serious harm.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

get up to mischief a mischievous grin cause mischief

mischiefed past tense, mischiefs plural, mischiefs singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The twins were clearly up to _____ the moment they went quiet.

From Old French meschief, "misfortune," from mes- (\"badly\") + chever (\"to come to a head\"), ultimately tracing back to Latin caput, "head."

agitation annoyance corruption damage demolition destruction detriment disablement disruption evil harm ill

decorum gentility gentlemanliness seemliness sportsmanship probity propriety

good OK benefit evil characteristic detriment damage destruction

fief brief thief chief grief belief relief debrief kerchief disbelief handkerchief

agitation annoyance corruption damage demolition destruction detriment disablement disruption evil harm ill