mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

: an unfortunate accident

The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.

2

: bad luck : misfortune

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

Synonyms

• accident

Choose the Right Synonym for mishap

misfortune, mischance, adversity, mishap mean adverse fortune or an instance of this.

misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Examples of mishap in a Sentence

We experienced the usual mishaps of a family vacation.

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.

Recent Examples on the Web

With his latest weigh-in blunder, there's no telling whether Dana White, who has publicly criticized Gastelum for his egregious weigh-in mishaps in the past, will cut the longtime vet. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

That’s one of the interesting things about this marketing mishap. —PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025

The actor-writer-directors kicked off their partnership with Sylvio, about a small-town gorilla joining a local TV show, only to see on-air mishaps spark a journey of self-discovery. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

The designer proves baking mishaps can be transformed into beautiful treats. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mishap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

archaic : bad luck

2

: an unfortunate accident

Etymology

Middle English mishap "bad luck," from mis- "bad, unfavorable" and hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, perhaps