middle

[ mid-l ]

adjective

1. equally distant from the extremes or outer limits; central:

   the middle point of a line; the middle singer in a trio.

   Synonyms: midway, medial, halfway, equidistant

   Antonyms: extreme

2. intermediate or intervening:

   the middle distance.

3. medium or average:

   a man of middle size.

4. (initial capital letter) (in the history of a language) intermediate between periods classified as Old and New or Modern:

   Middle English.

5. 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, egrapsámēn “I wrote for myself,” égrapsa “I wrote,” egráphēn “I was written.”
6. (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

1. the point, part, position, etc., equidistant from extremes or limits.

   Synonyms: midpoint

   Antonyms: extremity

2. the central part of the human body, especially the waist:

   He gave him a punch in the middle.

3. something intermediate; mean.
4. (in farming) the ground between two rows of plants.

verb (used with or without object)

middled, middling.

1. Chiefly Nautical. to fold in half.

middle

/ ˈmɪdəl /

adjective

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

   Middle English

noun

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

verb

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

Word 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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.

Example Sentences

Somewhere in that murky middle ground — where salt meets sugar, where fat meets fruit — that’s where the best desserts live.

From Salon

It’s an interesting inclusion until one other photo follows it: A photo of the cast alongside some of the actual veterans, one of whom has his middle finger raised proudly to the camera.

From Salon

It’s immediately evident that Gaga is in the middle of performing her live opus, a show that may very well come to be recognized as her greatest.

From Salon

“To be able to develop experiences on this scale, and to create experiences that drop our guests into the middle of the action, is the best of both worlds. It’s a very theatrical experience.”

From Los Angeles Times

Another distinguishing feature of the species is the presence of hooks on the middle of their eight arms.

From BBC

Related Words

• heart
• midst