Amid: meaning, definitions and examples

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amid

 

[ əˈmɪd ]

Preposition / Adverb
Context #1 | Preposition

in the middle of

surrounded by; in the middle of; during a process or period of time

Synonyms

amidst, among, in the midst of.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
amid

Used when something is happening in the middle of or during a particular time or event.

  • She remained calm amid the chaos.
  • Amid the celebrations, he felt lonely.
among

Used to describe someone or something that is surrounded by others or part of a group.

  • She was well-respected among her peers.
  • He walked among the trees, feeling at peace.
amidst

Similar to 'amid', this is generally used in more formal writing or poetic contexts.

  • Amidst the darkness, a single light shone brightly.
  • He found comfort amidst his friends.
in the midst of

Used when something is happening in the middle of a specific situation or period of time, often emphasizing the ongoing nature.

  • They were in the midst of an important negotiation.
  • In the midst of the storm, they found shelter.

Examples of usage

  • the company was in chaos amid a string of resignations
  • the children played happily amid the trees
Context #2 | Adverb

while in the middle of something

at the same time as something; while something else is happening

Synonyms

during, while.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
amid

Use 'amid' to describe something happening in the middle of or surrounded by something else. It emphasizes the presence of surrounding conditions or events.

  • She felt calm amid the chaos of the city.
  • The company launched its product amid economic uncertainty.
during

Use 'during' to describe something happening for a period of time, indicating when an event or condition occurs.

  • She fell asleep during the movie.
  • He learned Spanish during his stay in Mexico.
while

Use 'while' to indicate two actions happening at the same time. It suggests that one thing occurs in parallel with another.

  • She listened to music while studying.
  • He cooked dinner while I set the table.

Examples of usage

  • she smiled amid her tears
  • he remained calm amid the chaos

Translations

Translations of the word "amid" in other languages:

🇵🇹 entre

🇮🇳 के बीच

🇩🇪 unter

🇮🇩 di tengah

🇺🇦 серед

🇵🇱 pośród

🇯🇵 中で

🇫🇷 parmi

🇪🇸 entre

🇹🇷 arasında

🇰🇷 가운데

🇸🇦 وسط

🇨🇿 mezi

🇸🇰 medzi

🇨🇳 在...之中

🇸🇮 med

🇮🇸 meðal

🇰🇿 арасында

🇬🇪 შორის

🇦🇿 arasında

🇲🇽 entre

Etymology

The word 'amid' originated from Middle English 'amidde', from Old English 'on middan' meaning 'in the middle'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century.

See also: amidst.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,522 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.