mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

: an unfortunate accident

The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.

2

: bad luck : misfortune

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

Synonyms

• accident
• casualty
• mischance

Choose the Right Synonym for mishap

misfortune, mischance, adversity, mishap mean adverse fortune or an instance of this.

misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Examples of mishap in a Sentence

We experienced the usual mishaps of a family vacation.

The ceremony proceeded without mishap.

The fire was a tragic mishap that could have been prevented.

Recent Examples on the Web

Team mistakes, driver errors, reliability issues and other mishaps outside his control happen, but looking at the bigger picture (rather than zooming in season-by-season) reveals Leclerc has held an edge over his Ferrari teammates. —Madeline Coleman, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

The crash, which occurred at the Marana Regional Airport, about 21 miles northwest of Tucson, is also the second fatal aviation mishap this month in Arizona. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

Every family has photos like this: a man posing with what is likely a prized possession, a Brownie camera; a woman in a living room chair looking unamused by the photographer; a trio of joyful young girls given an eerie overlay from a double exposure or developing mishap. —April White, JSTOR Daily, 17 Feb. 2025

One little mishap and you’re sent packing out the door. —EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mishap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

mishap

noun

mis·​hap ˈmis-ˌhap 

mis-ˈhap

1

archaic : bad luck

2

: an unfortunate accident

Etymology

Middle English mishap "bad luck," from mis- "bad, unfavorable" and hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, perhaps