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

Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property. —NPR, 19 Oct. 2025

Best known for her breakout role as Devi in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, Ramakrishnan steps into a new kind of chaos here — one filled with magical animals and over-the-top mischief. —Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

Darrel Killebrew, 33, was arrested on suspicion of felony menacing, assault, child abuse, criminal mischief and criminal tampering after officers were called to his home late Monday. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025

They are said to possess the power to transform into wolves, coyotes or even owls, using their abilities to harm others or cause mischief. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 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