French word

méfait

Pronunciation

IPA/mefɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmischief

Example

Les enfants ont commis un méfait dans le jardin.

The children got into mischief in the garden.

Illustration for méfait (mischief)

More examples

Après la fête, il a admis avoir commis un méfait.

After the party, he admitted pulling a prank.

Core concept

A bad act viewed through the harm it causes.

Common phrases

  • commettre un méfait

    commit a misdeed

  • un petit méfait

    a little prank

Similar words

bêtise: A silly piece of mischief or an awkward mistake.
espièglerie: A mischievous act done playfully rather than maliciously.
malice: Deliberate meanness intended to hurt another person.
dommage: Damage affecting property, objects, or circumstances.

Definition in French

Action qui cause un tort ou un dommage; le résultat d'une conduite nuisible, parfois employé au pluriel pour désigner des effets néfastes.

Word origin

The French noun méfait developed from Old French mesfait and ultimately from Latin malefactum, a compound meaning a bad deed.

Usage tips

  • In the plural, les méfaits de is commonly used for the harmful effects or damage caused by a person, activity, or substance.

Other meanings

  • misdeednoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word