mischief

/ˈmɪstʃɪf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪstʃɪf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmis-chəf ˈmish-/ (ame, mw)

mischief — noun

  • mischiefsingular
  • mischiefsplural

1. playful or mildly annoying actions, especially by children, that are not meant t

1.名詞B1
釋義

playful or mildly annoying actions, especially by children, that are not meant to seriously upset anyone or cause real damage

例句

The teacher knew the boys were up to mischief after hearing giggles behind the bookshelf.

collocation: up to mischief

Six-year-old Mei hid her brother's crayons; her mother just smiled and called it normal mischief.

同義詞
  • naughtiness

    more about disobedience or rule-breaking, with a slightly more negative tone than mischief

  • pranks

    refers to specific playful tricks rather than a general tendency or behaviour

  • trouble

    broader in meaning; can cover anything from playful mischief to more serious wrongdoing

反義詞
  • good behaviour

    when a child follows rules and does not cause any trouble

用法筆記

Often used with get into, up to, or full of when describing children's playful behaviour. Mischief in this sense is uncountable — do not say 'a mischief'.

常見錯誤

❌The boys made a mischief after school.
✅The boys got into mischief after school.
💡Mischief is uncountable in this sense; do not use 'a mischief.'
❌The children did mischief to the house.
✅The children caused mischief around the house.
💡'Cause mischief' is the natural collocation for playful troublemaking, not 'do mischief to.'

2. damage, harm, or unwanted trouble resulting from someone's action or from an eve

2.名詞B2
釋義

damage, harm, or unwanted trouble resulting from someone's action or from an event

例句

The flood did considerable mischief to the village, destroying several homes and shops.

collocation: do mischief

Theo joked about Aunt Rosa's meatloaf, and his words sparked a family argument all evening.

cause mischief — unintended harm from words

同義詞
  • damage

    more neutral and broader; mischief implies slightly more unexpected or annoying damage

  • harm

    includes injury rather than just property damage; mischief often carries a slightly milder tone

  • injury

    can be physical or reputational, but feels more serious than mischief

反義詞
  • benefit

    a positive outcome or something that helps rather than harms

用法筆記

This sense (damage/harm) is distinct from sense 1 (NAUGHTY BEHAVIOUR). Sense 1 describes a type of playful behaviour, whereas sense 2 describes the resulting damage or harm itself — whether from a storm, a person's words, or a mechanical failure. The two senses use different collocations: sense 1 pairs with 'get into' or 'be up to', while sense 2 pairs with 'do' or 'cause'.

常見錯誤

❌The storm did a mischief to the village.
✅The storm did mischief to the village.
💡Mischief as damage or harm is uncountable; do not add 'a.'

3. a playful quality in a person's or animal's character that shows a tendency to e

3.名詞B2
釋義

a playful quality in a person's or animal's character that shows a tendency to enjoy causing minor trouble for fun, often revealed through the eyes, smile, or voice rather than through actual actions

例句

A spark of mischief appeared in the girl's eyes when hearing about a costume party.

spark of mischief — typical noun collocation

The old cat was full of mischief and knocked flowerpots off the balcony each night.

collocation: full of mischief

同義詞
  • playfulness

    more affectionate and harmless; mischief implies a slightly naughty edge

  • impishness

    similar in meaning but less common and slightly more literary

  • roguishness

    suggests a charming, cheeky quality often in adults rather than children

反義詞

用法筆記

Describes a lasting personality trait or a temporary playful expression — often found in phrases like 'a gleam of mischief', 'full of mischief', or 'eyes sparkling with mischief'. Distinguish from sense 1 (NAUGHTY BEHAVIOUR): sense 1 describes actual playful actions, while sense 3 describes the inner playful spirit that may or may not lead to actions.