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

He was first arrested in 2012 in Palm Beach County, Florida, on charges of battery, improper exhibit of a firearm or dangerous weapon and criminal mischief, with only criminal mischief upheld. —Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025

Cats are known for their mischief—but some instances of disarray are just not their fault. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Accordingly, the werewolves and vampires generate much of their mischief and mayhem in the Kansas City area. —Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025

Backroom deals were struck between politicians and judges, and the upstairs once hosted a fair share of gambling and general mischief. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 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