How to spell mischievous
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
mischievous
M-I-S-C-H-I-E-V-O-U-S
The part to watch: mischief + ous, ending -vous, not -vious. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Mischievous has three beats and ends -vous. Many people add an extra i and say and write "mischievious".
Mischievous is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with the -ous ending. The ending that sounds like "us" at the end of a describing word is spelt -ous. It is never -us or -ouse.
Common mistakes with mischievous
- Wrong: mischieviousRight: mischievous
- Wrong: mischeviousRight: mischievous
- Wrong: mischevousRight: mischievous
A way to remember it
Mischievous comes from mischief. The f changes to v, then add ous: no extra i.
Mischievous in syllables
mis · chie · vous
Mischievous has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The mischievous kitten knocked the pens off the desk.
Mischievous on the statutory list
Mischievous is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with mischievous, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ous ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as mischievous.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell mischief?
Mischief is the noun: m-i-s-c-h-i-e-f. Its f becomes v in mischievous.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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