Mischievous Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mischievous

[ˈmɪs.tʃɪ.vəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way; causing harm or damage in a playful way

Synonyms

impish, naughty, playful, prankish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mischievous	Typically describes behavior that is playful but might cause some trouble or annoyance. It has a slightly negative connotation but is often used affectionately for children. The mischievous child hid his sister's shoes The cat had a mischievous look in its eyes
naughty	Describes a child who behaves badly or disobediently. It usually has a mildly negative connotation. Used mainly for disobeying rules or causing minor trouble. The naughty puppy chewed on the furniture The teacher had to reprimand the naughty students
impish	Describes someone, especially a child, who is playfully mischievous. It carries a more lighthearted and whimsical tone compared to 'mischievous'. Her impish grin made everyone in the room laugh The boy’s impish antics kept the teachers on their toes
playful	Describes someone or something that is fun-loving and spirited. It lacks the negative implications of 'mischievous' or 'naughty'. The playful kitten chased the ball around the room They enjoyed a playful afternoon at the park
prankish	Describes someone who loves to play practical jokes or pranks. It implies a good sense of humor but can annoy others if taken too far. His prankish behavior made him popular among his friends The prankish girl put a whoopee cushion on the teacher’s chair

Examples of usage

He had a mischievous glint in his eye as he played a prank on his friend.
The mischievous children drew on the walls with crayons.
She had a mischievous sense of humor that always kept her friends on their toes.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

look

suggesting mischief; teasingly clever

Synonyms

impish, roguish, sly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mischievous	Best used to describe someone who likes to cause playful trouble or jokes, often used for children or playful adults. It can have a slightly negative connotation if the tricks cause harm or inconvenience. The mischievous child hid his sister's shoes The cat had a mischievous look in its eyes
sly	Best used for someone who is clever and deceitful, usually in a negative way. It suggests underhandedness and the ability to trick others. Her sly tactics in the board game took everyone by surprise The sly fox managed to steal some food without being noticed
roguish	Used to describe someone who is charming but behaves slightly dishonestly or rebelliously. It typically implies a sense of daring and adventure. With a roguish smile, he charmed everyone at the party The character's roguish behavior made him popular with the audience
impish	Often used to describe someone who is playful and slightly naughty in a charming or entertaining way. It has a light-hearted and endearing tone. She had an impish grin after playing a harmless trick The impish puppy kept stealing socks

Examples of usage

She gave him a mischievous smile before revealing her surprise.
His mischievous grin let her know he was up to something.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

In literature, mischievous characters often bring humor, like Peter Pan who leads others into playful adventures.
Movies often portray mischievous characters, such as the adorable Minions, who create chaos in funny ways.

Psychology

Being mischievous can reflect a healthy curiosity and a desire to explore boundaries, common in children.
Some psychologists note that playful mischief can strengthen social bonds among friends as they share laughter.

Literature

Literary characters often embody this trait, like Puck from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', who plays tricks on humans.
Classic stories often feature mischievous creatures, like the mischievous fox in Aesop's fables, who teaches lessons through trickery.

Historical Context

Throughout history, playful mischief has been used as a way to challenge authority and bring humor to social situations.
Different cultures celebrate mischief in folklore, like the trickster archetype found in Native American and African stories.

Origin of 'mischievous'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Middle English 'mischie' meaning harm or injury, combined with 'vise' which relates to cunning or cleverness.
In its early use, the term referred more to serious harm but gradually took on a playful connotation.

The word 'mischievous' originated from the Middle English word 'meschief', which meant 'mischief'. The term evolved over time to 'mischievous', with its current meaning of causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way. The word has been used in English literature and language to describe playful or teasing behavior since the 14th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,457, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12454 retroactive
12455 magnification
12456 persistently
12457 mischievous
12458 indeterminate
12459 unofficial
12460 interviewer
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