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

Brian Douglas Laoz, 22, was charged with two counts attempted premeditated murder and one count each of shooting a deadly missile, tampering with physical evidence and criminal mischief. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2026

Jahari Dorsey, 25, is facing charges of larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer and engaging police in pursuit, according to the West Hartford Police Department. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026

An arrest citation shows Rayne faces charges of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief. —Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Feb. 2026

The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 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