mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent

the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations

—Herbert Spencer

2

: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation

especially : a person who causes mischief

He's a real mischief to his family.

3

a

: action that annoys or irritates

Halloween mischiefs

b

: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness

had mischief in his eyes

Synonyms

• devilment
• playfulness
• mischievousness
• deviltry
• wickedness
• rascality
• devilry
• roguishness
• devilishness
• roguery
• impishness
• knavery

Examples of mischief in a Sentence

It's hard to keep him out of mischief.

the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway

Recent Examples on the Web

Prior to that, Price was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct following an argument in which Price reportedly locked Coleman out of their home and began trashing his belongings. —Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 8 July 2025

Klein was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and was expected to appear Monday in Bridgeport Superior Court. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025

The Dukes of Hazzard ran for seven seasons on CBS, wrapping up in 1985 after 147 episodes filled with moonshine mischief and good-old-boy adventures. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 July 2025

But Minogue re-emerged from under the stage with mischief on her mind. —Eric Webb, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English meschief, from Anglo-French, misfortune, hardship, from Old French meschever to come out badly, mes- + chief head, end — more at chief

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mischief

• malicious mischief

Kids Definition

mischief

noun

mis·​chief ˈmis-chəf 

ˈmish-

1

: injury sense 2, harm

2

: a person or animal who causes mischief

3

: mischievous conduct or quality

a child gets into mischief

had mischief in their eyes