mischief
MIHS-cheef
Mischief (noun) means Playful behaviour that causes minor trouble or annoyance, without real malice. Example: “The twins were clearly up to mischief the moment they went quiet.”
noun
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- mischiefs
- Third person singular
- mischiefs
- Past tense
- mischiefed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The twins were clearly up to _____ the moment they went quiet.
Etymology
From Old French meschief, "misfortune," from mes- (\"badly\") + chever (\"to come to a head\"), ultimately tracing back to Latin caput, "head."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for mischief
See all rhymes for mischief →Frequently asked questions
What does “mischief” mean?
The word “mischief” means playful behaviour that causes minor trouble or annoyance, without real malice. In plain terms, harmless troublemaking, or sometimes real damage.
How do you pronounce “mischief”?
“Mischief” is pronounced MIHS-cheef (/ˈmɪs.t͡ʃɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “mischief” in a sentence?
Here is “mischief” used in a sentence: “The twins were clearly up to mischief the moment they went quiet.”
What is another word for “mischief”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mischief” include agitation, annoyance, corruption, damage, demolition and destruction.
What is the opposite of “mischief”?
The opposite of “mischief” — its antonyms — are decorum, gentility, gentlemanliness, seemliness and sportsmanship.
What part of speech is “mischief”?
“Mischief” is a noun.
Where does the word “mischief” come from?
The word “mischief” comes from Latin. From Old French meschief, "misfortune," from mes- (\"badly\") + chever (\"to come to a head\"), ultimately tracing back to Latin caput, "head.".
Is “mischief” a common word?
“Mischief” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
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