mischief

[ mis-chif ]

/ ˈmɪs tʃɪf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mischief ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

conduct or activity that playfully causes petty annoyance.

a tendency or disposition to tease, vex, or annoy.

a vexatious or annoying action.

harm or trouble, especially as a result of an agent or cause.

an injury or evil caused by a person or other agent or cause.

a cause or source of harm, evil, or annoyance.

the devil.

Nearby words

miscellanist, miscellany, misch metal, mischance, mischanter, mischief, mischief night, mischief-maker, mischievous, mischoose, miscible

Origin of mischief

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

SYNONYMS FOR mischief

4 hurt.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mischief ON THESAURUS.COM

Synonym study

4. See damage.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mischief

His entry takes the reader through a day of mischief with Bast, the somewhat mysterious creature from the Chronicles series.
Inside George R.R. Martin’s New Book (Mild Buzzkill: Only One Story is Martin’s)|William O’Connor|June 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The move apparently was to make sure none of the invitees was up to any mischief.
Up to Speed: All You Need to Know About the Thai Coup|Lennox Samuels|May 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most of the time, the mischief is buried deep in the spreadsheets.
Powerbroker Richard Ravitch Thinks New York Might Be Doomed|Josh Robin|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the mountain, as on the planet, the god of mischief will continue to rule.
At Davos 2014, The Gods Of Mischief Rule|Christopher Dickey|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Probably the greatest Halloween prank ever took place 75 years ago on Mischief Night.
When Mars Attacked 75 Years Ago—And Everyone Believed It|Marc Wortman|October 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We knew some mischief was afoot, and they were so eager on it that we came up unnoticed.
The Free Rangers|Joseph A. Altsheler
At that moment, I was heartily sorry for all the mischief I had done.
Jewish Children|Sholem Naumovich Rabinovich
Her eyes grew brighter with mischief and laughter—laughter, the greatest magician and doctor emeritus of them all!
The Moonlit Way|Robert W. Chambers
Jean gave in and varnished his pelt thoroughly with my "punkie dope," as he called it; but, too late; the mischief was done.
Woodcraft and Camping|George Washington Sears (Nessmuk)
Yet the dogs—ay, there was the mischief—and the lurching ne'er-do-weels coming back in such dismal pickle.
Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of 2)|John Roby

British Dictionary definitions for mischief

mischief

/ (ˈmɪstʃɪf) /

noun

wayward but not malicious behaviour, usually of children, that causes trouble, irritation, etc

a playful inclination to behave in this way or to tease or disturb

injury or harm caused by a person or thing

a person, esp a child, who is mischievous

a source of trouble, difficulty, etcfloods are a great mischief to the farmer

Word Origin for mischief

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with mischief

mischief

see make mischief.

mischief

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of mischief

SYNONYMS FOR mischief

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for mischief

British Dictionary definitions for mischief

mischief

noun

Word Origin for mischief

Idioms and Phrases with mischief

mischief