mischievous

USAGE SUMMARY

"mischievous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something that is playfully or irritatingly annoying, naughty, or troublesome. Example sentence: The mischievous cat had a knack for knocking over all the potted plants.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Man Booker prize-winning author Hilary Mantel delivered a spirited attack on her critics after the BBC was condemned over plans to broadcast her "mischievous" short story on the imagined assassination of Margaret Thatcher.

The Guardian - Books

Mourinho was in mischievous mood when asked how he felt about the players taking it into their own hands regarding who took the spot-kick.

The Guardian - Sport

The notices so many of us received yesterday and the blanket notice that all name-based searches in the EU are now subject to censorship make it look more like a mischievous attempt to point up the impossibility of policing content on the internet within physical territories, enraging publishers and encouraging them to write about it.

The Guardian - Tech

So here's another mischievous suggestion: as far as our politicians are concerned, Beazley, a military history obsessive, would make an equally appealing Australian War memorial director as Nelson does a future ambassador to Washington.

The Guardian

With her round face, turned-up nose, cheeky smile and working-class Parisian accent, she became a worthy descendant of the mischievous servant girls one finds in classic French comedies.

The Guardian - Film

Daldry could hardly look more mischievous as he retorts: "It's all basically the same management skills".

The Guardian - Film

Guests like Lynne are expected to have clear opinions on each topic but Wright attacks each subject from multiple angles; he's either an even-handed host or a mischievous contrarian.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Sun has yanked out that old photo of Ed Miliband and the sandwich, screaming a fiery-eyed warning to readers about the repercussions of letting the country be run by someone who'll intermittently allow themselves to be strung up by mischievous picture editors.

The Guardian

But stepping stones can be slippery buggers - a careless stride, a bad choice of footwear or a shove from a mischievous co-traveller and you're in the rushing rapids either to sink without trace or to desperately grab for the nearest immoveable object.

The Guardian

Maybe it was because it was supposed to be such as holy time but the irreverent Allen always seemed more mischievous at Christmas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

BBC Radio 4 Publicity said online: "In Hilary Mantel's mischievous story, a knock at the door announces an unexpected visitor who has plans to alter the course of history as people know it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mischievous" to describe actions or intentions that are playfully annoying or cause minor trouble, adding a touch of lightheartedness to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "mischievous" when the intent is truly harmful or malevolent; "mischievous" implies a playful or harmless nature, whereas malicious actions are deliberately harmful.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "mischievous" primarily functions to describe someone or something as causing or characterized by mischief. It modifies nouns to indicate a playful or troublesome quality, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples like "mischievous smile" or "mischievous attempt".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mischievous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes playful or troublesome behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, "mischievous" serves to add a lighthearted touch to descriptions of actions or individuals. To enhance your writing, consider synonyms like "playful" or "impish", but be cautious not to confuse it with "malicious", which implies harmful intent. Remember, the essence of "mischievous" lies in its playful nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

playful

Describes someone who is full of fun and enjoys teasing or playing tricks, similar to mischievous but often less intentional.

naughty

Implies misbehavior, especially in children, aligning with the troublemaking aspect of mischievous.

impish

Suggests a playful and slightly malicious nature, akin to a mischievous spirit.

roguish

Describes someone attractively unprincipled or dishonest, sharing the playful defiance of mischievous.

prankish

Focuses on the act of playing pranks, which is a common manifestation of mischievous behavior.

wicked

Indicates a stronger degree of naughtiness or harmful intent compared to mischievous.

troublesome

Emphasizes the difficulty or annoyance caused by the person or thing, highlighting the problematic side of mischievousness.

rascal

Informal term for a mischievous person, often used affectionately.

arch

Describes a knowing or sly humor, similar to the subtle cleverness often associated with mischievousness.

devilish

Indicates a strong, almost sinister, level of mischievousness or wickedness.

FAQs

How can I use "mischievous" in a sentence?

You can use "mischievous" to describe someone's behavior or a quality of something. For example, "The "mischievous cat" enjoys playing with yarn" or "He had a "mischievous grin" on his face".

What's a more formal alternative to "mischievous"?

While "mischievous" is generally acceptable, a more formal alternative might be "roguish", depending on the context. However, "playful" or "naughty" can sometimes work depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "mischievous" and "malicious"?

"Mischievous" implies playful misbehavior or minor troublemaking, while "malicious" suggests a desire to do evil or cause harm. The key difference is the intent; "mischievous acts" are typically harmless, whereas malicious acts are intended to cause damage or suffering.

What are some words that have a similar meaning to "mischievous"?

Synonyms for "mischievous" include "impish", "playful", "naughty", "roguish", and "prankish". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.