middle-of-the-road

[ mid-l-uhv-thuh-rohd ]

adjective

1. favoring, following, or characterized by an intermediate position between two extremes, especially in politics; moderate.
2. of, relating to, or describing a type of popular music that avoids extremes of style and is catchy and tuneful enough to have broad appeal. : MOR

noun

1. Also called easy listening. popular music having comparatively conventional, melodic qualities and hence having broad commercial appeal. : MOR

middle-of-the-road

adjective

1. not extreme, esp in political views; moderate
2. of, denoting, or relating to popular music having a wide general appeal

Derived Forms

• ˈmiddle-of-the-ˈroader, noun

Other Words From

• middle-of-the-roader noun
• middle-of-the-roadism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle-of-the-road¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

On Thursday, Kimmel likened the current political vibe to “standing in the middle of the road waiting for a bus to hit us but it’s still 40 miles away.”

From Los Angeles Times

Williams’ desk in front of a “middle of the road” AI-generated rural American scene sparked confusion, for example.

From Salon

He said it had to "drive in the middle of the road over the chevrons to hold the line" as a result of the speed it was travelling.

From BBC

Liverpool's reshaped style under new head coach Arne Slot may be more middle of the road than the "heavy metal" of predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but it has taken them on a direct route to the top of the Premier League.

From BBC

They also said riders, wearing balaclavas and not helmets, did wheelies in the middle of the road, and mounted pavements.

From BBC