What does mischievous mean?
Mischievous describes someone or something that is playfully inclined to tease, trick, or cause minor trouble. The word is especially common for children and animals, but it can also describe a grin, a plan, or a piece of humour that is playful and slightly impish. Its tone is usually affectionate or gently disapproving rather than seriously hostile: a mischievous child may hide a toy or pull a prank, while a mischievous smile suggests a humorous or knowing attitude. Although mischievous can imply a lack of obedience, it normally emphasizes playfulness and spontaneity rather than deliberate cruelty. The word comes from the same historical root as mischief and has long been associated with small pranks and playful disorder, making it especially useful when describing behaviour that is lively, teasing, and not entirely innocent.
adjectivePlayfully mischievous, often involving harmless teasing, trickery, or a desire to cause minor trouble. It can also describe behavior that is lively, playful, and slightly impish.
- Playfully teasing or given to harmless tricks and troublemaking.
- Characterized by a mischievous or impish quality, especially in appearance or behaviour.
"The mischievous puppy stole my sock and raced behind the sofa."
"Her mischievous sense of humour kept the whole class laughing."
"The wind played a mischievous trick with her umbrella as she crossed the square."
Mischievous once carried a strikingly literal meaning: it was related to the idea of an “ill head,” before settling into its modern sense of playful troublemaking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mischievous come from?
Mischievous developed from mischief, which comes through Old French from elements meaning “bad” and “head,” originally conveying an ill or bad head or a harmful turn of events. Over time, the word came to mean troublesome or playful wrongdoing, and mischievous developed the specific sense of being playfully inclined to cause trouble. The family is also reflected in related forms such as mischievousness and the adverb mischievous.
Related word forms
How mischievous is actually used
The word is common in both British and US English and is usually affectionate or mildly disapproving rather than strongly negative. It often describes children, animals, behaviour, smiles, and playful schemes.
Easily confused with mischievous
Mischievous usually means playfully teasing or playfully troublesome, whereas malicious means intending harm or injury.
Naughty is a broader term for misbehaving or disobedient, while mischievous specifically suggests playful trickiness or mischief.