[ 'mɪstʃɪvəs ]
■ adjective
1》 causing or disposed to mischief.
2》 intended to cause harm or trouble.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME (orig. 'unfortunate or calamitous', later 'having harmful effects'): from Anglo-Norman Fr. meschevous , from OFr. meschever (see mischief ).
Usage
Mischievous is a three-syllable word; do not pronounce it with four syllables, as if it were spelled mischievious ( mɪs'tʃi:vɪəs ).