mischance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary
Quick answer
What does “mischance” mean?
A piece of bad luck.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of bad luck; an unfortunate event or accident.
The concept or instance of unlucky happenstance; misfortune viewed as a chance occurrence rather than fate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. Slightly more literary/archaic in both varieties, but perhaps retains a bit more currency in formal British writing.
Connotations
Conveys a slightly old-fashioned, elevated tone. Suggests a neutral, almost fateful bad luck, distinct from 'mistake' or 'error'.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects. More likely encountered in historical texts, formal reports, or literary contexts than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “mischance” in a Sentence
[verb] + mischance: suffer/meet/encounter/avoid a mischance[preposition] + mischance: by/through (sheer) mischancemischance + [verb]: mischance befell himmischance + [that-clause]: It was a mischance that the letter never arrived.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mischance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable. The word is not used as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable. The word is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. There is no standard adverbial form.
American English
- Not applicable. There is no standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable. The related adjective is 'mischanceful', but it is obsolete and not in use.
American English
- Not applicable. The related adjective is 'mischanceful', but it is obsolete and not in use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal reports or insurance contexts: 'The project's failure was due to financial mischance, not mismanagement.'
Academic
Used in historical or literary analysis to discuss plot devices or historical causality: 'The king's death is presented not as murder but as tragic mischance.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. Would sound formal or old-fashioned.
Technical
Not typical in technical fields. Closest might be in risk management as a synonym for 'random adverse event'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mischance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mischance”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I mischanced'). It is only a noun.
- Confusing it with 'mischief'.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'bad luck' or 'a fluke' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'misschance'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In core meaning, yes, but 'mischance' is more formal, literary, and often refers to a specific unlucky incident rather than a general state. 'Bad luck' is neutral and common in everyday speech.
No. 'Mischance' is exclusively a noun. There is no standard verb form 'to mischance' in modern English.
No, it is relatively rare and has a formal, slightly old-fashioned or literary flavour. In everyday conversation, people would use words like 'bad luck', 'mishap', or 'accident'.
They are close synonyms. 'Mishap' can sometimes imply a minor accident with a slightly more concrete, sometimes humorous connotation (e.g., a kitchen mishap). 'Mischance' leans more toward the abstract idea of unlucky chance and is more formal.
A piece of bad luck.
Mischance is usually formal, literary in register.
Mischance: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈtʃɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈtʃæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by some curious mischance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS (wrong/bad) + CHANCE (luck/opportunity) = a bad piece of luck. It's a mis-take of chance.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME OF CHANCE; misfortune is a bad roll of the dice/draw of a card.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mischance' LEAST appropriate?