mischievous

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪstʃɪvəs/

adjective

  • 1causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way: mischievous children a mischievous grin
  • 2(of an action or statement) causing or intended to cause harm or trouble: a mischievous allegation for which there is not a shred of evidence

Derivatives

mischievously

adverb

mischievousness

noun

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

Mischievous is a three-syllable word; it should not be pronounced with four syllables, as if it were spelled mischievious /mɪsˈtʃiːvɪəs/.