mischief-maker

American  

[mis-chif-mey-ker] / ˈmɪs tʃɪfˌmeɪ kər /

noun

1. a person who causes mischief, especially one who stirs up discord, as by talebearing.

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Other Word Forms

• mischief-making adjective

Etymology

Origin of mischief-maker

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Henry Arundell, a 20-year-old fresher in the side, had been chief mischief-maker by scoring five of 11 tries in a 71-0 win.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2023

“He remains the immature mischief-maker, a well-meaning dad with the instincts of a reckless kid,” Mr. Zinoman writes.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2017

Her Dame Judi Dench is a kleptomaniac mischief-maker, clogging toilets in five-star hotels just because as a “national treasure,” she can get away with it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2016

It’s hard to remember a time when Kanye West was a fresh-faced hip-hop mischief-maker with a heart fit to display on his sleeve.

From The Guardian • Aug. 15, 2014

Get ye gone, then, old mischief-maker," answered Brown; "get ye gone, and the sooner your back is turned upon us the better.

From The Gipsy (Vols I & II) A Tale by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)