MIDDLE Definition & Meaning

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middle

[ mid-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

equally distant from the extremes or outer limits; central:
the middle point of a line; the middle singer in a trio.
Synonyms: , , ,
Antonyms:
intermediate or intervening:
the middle distance.
medium or average:
a man of middle size.
(initial capital letter) (in the history of a language) intermediate between periods classified as Old and New or Modern:
Middle English.
Grammar. (in some languages) noting a voice of verb inflection in which the subject is represented as acting on or for itself, in contrast to the active voice in which the subject acts, and the passive voice in which the subject is acted upon, as in Greek, �𲵰��á��ŧ�� “I wrote for myself,” é�� “I wrote,” �𲵰�á��ŧ�� “I was written.”
(often initial capital letter) Stratigraphy. noting the division intermediate between the upper and lower divisions of a period, system, or the like:
the Middle Devonian.

noun

the point, part, position, etc., equidistant from extremes or limits.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
the central part of the human body, especially the waist:
He gave him a punch in the middle.
something intermediate; mean.
(in farming) the ground between two rows of plants.

verb (used with or without object)

middled, middling.

Chiefly Nautical. to fold in half.

middle

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə�� /

adjective

equally distant from the ends or periphery of something; central
intermediate in status, situation, etc
located between the early and late parts of a series, time sequence, etc
not extreme, esp in size; medium
(esp in Greek and Sanskrit grammar) denoting a voice of verbs expressing reciprocal or reflexive action Compare active passive
usually capital (of a language) intermediate between the earliest and the modern forms
Middle English

noun

an area or point equal in distance from the ends or periphery or in time between the early and late parts
an intermediate part or section, such as the waist
grammar the middle voice
logic See middle term
the ground between rows of growing plants
a discursive article in a journal, placed between the leading articles and the book reviews
cricket a position on the batting creases in alignment with the middle stumps on which a batsman may take guard

verb

to place in the middle
nautical to fold in two
football to return (the ball) from the wing to midfield
cricket to hit (the ball) with the middle of the bat

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of middle¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English middel; cognate with German mittel; akin to Old Norse methal among. See mid ¹

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of middle¹

Old English middel; compare Old Frisian middel, Dutch middel, German mittel

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Idioms and Phrases

see caught in the middle ; in the middle of ; play both ends against the middle .

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Synonym Study

Middle, center, midst indicate something from which two or more other things are (approximately or exactly) equally distant. Middle denotes, literally or figuratively, the point or part equidistant from or intermediate between extremes or limits in space or in time: the middle of a road. Center, a more precise word, is ordinarily applied to a point within circular, globular, or regular bodies, or wherever a similar exactness appears to exist: the center of the earth; it may also be used metaphorically (still suggesting the core of a sphere): center of interest. Midst usually suggests that a person or thing is closely surrounded or encompassed on all sides, especially by that which is thick or dense: the midst of a storm.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Unfortunately, viewers are caught in the middle, stuffing themselves on scraps when plenty of good food is left out there.

From

"It's shocking that something like that can happen in a main shopping precinct in the middle of the day. It's just so sad."

From

The light turned red, and drivers started laying on their horns attempting to warn other drivers of the man stuck in the middle of the road.

From

After years of successful events with this cohort, he is looking to provide them with a space to continue their ventures, particularly as they approach middle adulthood.

From

I don’t expect the Dodgers to lash out at Trump and his policies, which have been one giant middle finger to California and everything it stands for.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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