First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1middle
adjective mid·dle \ˈmi-dəl\
: equally distant from the ends or sides : halfway between two points
: in a state or place between two things or people
Full Definition of MIDDLE
2
: being at neither extreme : intermediate
3
capitalized a : constituting a division intermediate between those prior and later or upper and lower <Middle Paleozoic> b : constituting a period of a language or literature intermediate between one called Old and one called New or Modern <Middle Dutch>
4
of a verb form or voice : typically asserting that a person or thing both performs and is affected by the action represented
See middle defined for English-language learners
See middle defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MIDDLE
Middle English middel, from Old English; akin to Old English midde
Related to MIDDLE
- Synonyms
- central, halfway, intermediary, intermediate, medial, median, mediate, medium, mid, midmost
- Antonyms
- extreme, farthest, farthermost, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost
2middle
noun
: a middle part, point, or position
: the middle part of a person's body
Full Definition of MIDDLE
1
: a middle part, point, or position
2
: the central portion of the human body : waist
3
: the position of being among or in the midst of something <in the middle of the crowd>
4
: something intermediate between extremes : mean
5
: the center of an offensive or defensive formation; especially : the area between the second baseman and the shortstop
— middle of nowhere
: an extremely remote and isolated place <ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere>
See middle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MIDDLE
before 12th century
Related to MIDDLE
- Synonyms
- golden mean, medium, mean, middle ground, midpoint
MIDDLE Defined for Kids
1middle
adjective mid·dle \ˈmi-dəl\
Definition of MIDDLE for Kids
1
: equally distant from the ends : central <the middle aisle>
2
: being at neither extreme : halfway between two opposite states or conditions <of middle size>
2middle
noun
Definition of MIDDLE for Kids
: the part, point, or position that is equally distant from the ends or opposite sides : center <the middle of the room>
Learn More About MIDDLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: middle agePrevious Word in the Dictionary: middenAll Words Near: middle
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up middle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).