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

Last year, he brought his gleeful sense of mischief to the U.K. competition series “Taskmaster.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Literature

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

From Los Angeles Times

“I think one of the reasons he was so keen is he’s someone who has a sense of mischief and fun,” Lighton says, speaking separately over Zoom from London.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Related Words

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