English Meaning & Definitions
Showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful or teasing way.
- “The mischievous puppy chewed up my favorite pair of leather shoes while I was at work.”
- “She had a mischievous glint in her eye as she prepared to play a harmless prank on her brother.”
Causing or intended to cause harm, damage, or annoyance.
- “The newspaper was sued for publishing mischievous rumors about the politician's private life.”
- “His mischievous actions led to a significant disruption in the classroom.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “mischievous”.
Derived from the Middle English 'mischievous', originating from the Old French 'meschever' (to come to grief, to end badly). It is composed of the prefix 'mes-' (badly) and 'chever' (to end/happen). Historically, it meant 'disastrous' or 'causing harm,' but the meaning evolved by the 16th century to describe playful, annoying, or teasing behavior.
Think of a 'miss' (a young girl) who is 'chief' at causing 'us' trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions About “mischievous”
1. What is the meaning of “mischievous” in English?
In English, mischievous (adjective) is defined as: “Showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful or teasing way.”.
2. How do you use “mischievous” in a sentence?
“The mischievous puppy chewed up my favorite pair of leather shoes while I was at work.”
3. What are English synonyms of “mischievous”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “mischievous”?
Derived from the Middle English 'mischievous', originating from the Old French 'meschever' (to come to grief, to end badly). It is composed of the prefix 'mes-' (badly) and 'chever' (to end/happen). Historically, it meant 'disastrous' or 'causing harm,' but the meaning evolved by the 16th century to describe playful, annoying, or teasing behavior.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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