mishap
Say it: MIS-hap /ˈmɪshæp/ · noun
What “mishap” means
A small accident or bit of bad luck.
More precisely: A minor accident or piece of bad luck.
Example: “Apart from one coffee mishap on my laptop, the trip went smoothly.”
When to use it
Use it in a light, reassuring tone for an unfortunate accident that causes a little trouble rather than serious harm.
Memory trick
Hap is an old word for luck, so mishap suggests luck going wrong.
Similar words
accident, misadventure, blunder
Where it comes from
From "mis-" plus "hap," meaning luck.
Quick check
While serving lunch, you knock over a jug and spill water across the table, but nothing breaks. What happened?
a catastrophe or a mishap?
Show the answer
a mishap
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