noun
mischief
MIS-chif/ˈmɪstʃɪf/
Trouble or harm caused by playful or badly behaved actions.
The squirting-flower prank is a bit of playful mischief.
Etymology
The image is of events “coming to a head” badly: first misfortune, then harm caused by someone. The meaning later softened to playful wrongdoing or minor troublemaking.
In context
Miss Baker could have us take a crime report on you for malicious mischief for removing her door.
More examples
- The children got into mischief.
- His interference caused real mischief.
- She noticed a hint of mischief in his smile.
Forms
mischief
mischievous adjective — inclined to playful troublemaking
Similar words
- naughtiness
- Usually mild disobedience rather than actual harm.
- troublemaking
- Can be deliberate and more serious.