What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mischief
Example
The children got into some mischief while their parents were away. [mischief: noun]
Example
He has a reputation for being mischievous and always playing practical jokes on his friends. [mischievous: adjective]
Example
The mistake was caused by a moment of mischief, but it ended up costing the company a lot of money. [mischief: noun]
prank
Example
The students decided to play a prank on their teacher by switching all the desks around. [prank: noun]
Example
She was angry at first, but then she realized it was just a harmless prank. [prank: adjective]
Example
He's always coming up with new pranks to play on his friends. [pranks: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prank is more commonly used than mischief in everyday language. Prank is a popular term among young people and is often associated with humor and entertainment. Mischief is less common and is usually used in more formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between mischief and prank?
While prank is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, mischief is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
