What does mischance mean?
Mischance is a formal word for an unlucky event or for bad luck itself. It can describe a specific misfortune, such as a document being lost or a journey being unexpectedly disrupted, and it commonly appears in the phrase “by mischance,” meaning “as a result of bad luck.” The word tends to sound more dramatic and literary than everyday alternatives like “bad luck” or “mishap,” although its meaning is broadly similar. Its unusual construction gives it a memorable quality: it combines the idea of chance with the sense of something going wrong. In this way, mischance is useful when an event is not merely improbable but has resulted in an unfortunate or unexpected outcome.
nounAn unfortunate event or occurrence brought about by bad luck. It can also refer more generally to bad luck itself, especially in the expression “by mischance.”
- An unfortunate event or occurrence caused by bad luck.
- Bad luck considered as a general condition or influence.
"By some piece of mischance, the letters arrived after the deadline."
"The meeting collapsed through a combination of rain, confusion, and mischance."
"By pure mischance, the sole copy of the report was lost in transit."
The plural is grammatically possible but is much less common than the singular or the phrase “by mischance.”
"The journey was marked by several mischances."
Mischance is chance with a minus sign: it names the unlucky turn that turns possibility into misfortune.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mischance come from?
Mischance was formed in Middle English from the prefix mis-, meaning wrongly or badly, and the word chance. The prefix reflects the same Old French and Latin roots that contributed to words such as misfortune and mishap, while chance derives through Old French from Latin fortuna. The combination emphasizes an unlucky turn of events rather than an intended action.
How mischance is actually used
Mischance is more literary and formal than ordinary expressions such as “bad luck.” The phrase “by mischance” is common in both formal and informal writing, while the word on its own often has a somewhat old-fashioned or dramatic tone.
Easily confused with mischance
A mishap is generally a specific minor accident or unfortunate incident, whereas mischance can refer either to such an event or to bad luck in the abstract.