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   Mis·chie·vous

   /ˈmisCHəvəs/

   

   adjective

   • 1. (of a person, animal, or their behavior) causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way: "two mischievous kittens had decorated the bed with shredded newspaper" Similar naughtybadbadly behavedmisbehavingdisobedienttroublesomevexatiousfull of mischiefrascallyroguishprankishdelinquentplayfulteasingwickedimpishpuckishroguishwaggisharchOpposite well behavedgood
   • ▪ (of an action or thing) causing or intended to cause harm or trouble: "a mischievous allegation for which there is not a shred of evidence" Similar maliciousmalevolenthostilespitefulbittervenomouspoisonousevil-intentionedill-naturedevilbalefulvindictivevengefulvitriolicrancorousmalignmalignantperniciousmeannastyharmfulhurtfuldestructivewoundingcruelunkinddefamatoryinformal:bitchycattyliterary:maleficmaleficentOpposite harmlesswell intentioned

   Word Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French meschevous, from Old French meschever ‘come to an unfortunate end’ (see mischief). The early sense was ‘unfortunate or calamitous’, later ‘having harmful effects’; the sense ‘playfully troublesome’ dates from the late 17th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. mischievousness noun

   Scrabble Points: 21

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