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

Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

Read More Merritt is a classicist and a mischief maker. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

The second offense of mischief carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine, or both. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

Common types of calls that the Civilian Response Unit investigates are burglary, assault by threat, criminal mischief, fraud, harassment, theft and information-only reports, according to the department’s website. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 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