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

Following a dispute with a moving truck driver, he was charged with burglary with assault, burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

All three were charged with felony burglary and criminal mischief and misdemeanor trespassing and larceny. —Emma Butts, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025

Harry's son Albus Severus Potter, Ron and Hermione's daughter Rose, and Malfoy's son Scorpius Malfoy essentially befriend one another, becoming thrust into mischief and adventure, much like their parents. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

Police said the person is wanted in connection with multiple acts of criminal mischief as a hate crime and the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 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