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 of mischief

• devilment
• mischievousness
• playfulness
• wickedness
• rascality
• devilry
• roguishness
• devilishness
• roguery
• naughtiness
• 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

Eight people were arrested at the demonstration, Gothamist said, and were charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. —Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Eight people were arrested and have been charged with offenses including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief, police said. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026

Police said a total of nine people were arrested, with eight facing charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 3 May 2026

Four other charges in that case — including assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child — were dismissed with prejudice. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 May 2026

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