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# mischievous

adjective

«mischievous» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Liking to play tricks and cause small trouble in a playful way: a mischievous puppy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#m1)
2. Showing that someone is planning a trick: a mischievous grin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#m2)
3. (formal) Meant to cause harm or trouble: a mischievous rumour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories a mischievous character (an elf, a kitten, a little brother) is naughty but often lovable. A «mischievous smile» tells the reader a trick is coming. In news, «mischievous» can mean spiteful. Phrases: mischievous grin, mischievous twinkle.

### Examples

- The mischievous kitten knocked the cup off the table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x1)
- He gave a mischievous grin and hid my shoe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x2)
- My little sister is very mischievous. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x3)
- The mischievous elf swapped everyone's hats. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x4)
- Monkeys can be mischievous and steal food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x5)
- There was a mischievous twinkle in Grandad's eye. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x6)
- Someone spread a mischievous rumour about the school closing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/#x7)

### Note

Say it in three syllables: MIS-chi-vus. A very common mistake is to say or write «mischievious» — there is no extra «i». Noun: mischief.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means harmful and wicked, not playful. A mischievous person plans evil and spreads trouble with words.

**Interpretation.** Proverbs is read as warning that harmful speech is a serious wrong. Tradition forbids gossip and slander.

### Examples

- He that deviseth to do evil, men shall call him a mischievous person. (Writings PRO.24.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mischievous/#x1)
- A evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; and a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue. (Writings PRO.17.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mischievous/#x2)

### Note

Say it in three syllables: MIS-chi-vus. A very common mistake is to say or write «mischievious» — there is no extra «i». Noun: mischief.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mischievous» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mischievous/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mischievous» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mischievous.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «mischievous» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mischievous/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mischievous» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/mischievous.html) on Mova free.