Middle: meaning, definitions and examples

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middle

 

[ ˈmɪdl ]

Noun / Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

of a word

Middle refers to the central point or position within something, often used in relation to an object, place, or concept.

Synonyms

center, mid, midpoint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
middle

Appropriate for general use when talking about the central part of something, especially in physical or temporal terms.

  • She stood in the middle of the room.
  • He woke up in the middle of the night.
center

Used when referring to an exact central point, often in mathematical, geometric, or important locations (like towns or institutions).

  • We met at the center of the city.
  • Draw a line through the center of the circle.
midpoint

Utilized in mathematical or technical contexts to describe the exact middle point of a line or distance between two points.

  • Find the midpoint of the line segment.
  • The midpoint between the two cities is 50 miles.
mid

Commonly used as a prefix to specify the middle part of something, especially in time periods or positions in a sequence.

  • He will arrive in mid-June.
  • She is in her mid-twenties.

Examples of usage

  • The letter 'o' is in the middle of the word 'hello.'
  • She placed the book in the middle of the shelf.
  • The middle of the movie was the most exciting part.
Context #2 | Noun

of a period of time

Middle can also refer to the point equidistant from the beginning and the end of a period of time.

Synonyms

center, midpoint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
middle

Used to refer to the point or part that is equally distant from the sides, edges, or ends of something. It emphasizes being in an intermediate position.

  • He was standing in the middle of the road.
  • We placed the table in the middle of the room.
midpoint

Specifically used in mathematics and physical space to denote the exact halfway point between two ends. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • The midpoint of the line segment was calculated accurately.
  • We decided to meet at the midpoint between our houses.
center

Refers to the exact central point of an area or object, often used to describe places, roles, or important points of focus.

  • The art gallery is located in the center of the city.
  • She hit the target right in the center.

Examples of usage

  • We are in the middle of the semester.
  • The middle of the night is usually the coldest.
Context #3 | Adjective

quality

Middle can be used as an adjective to describe something that is located in the center.

Synonyms

central, intermediate, midway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
middle

Typically used to describe the position or location at the equal distance from the ends or sides of something.

  • She stood in the middle of the room
  • The middle of the book is the most exciting
central

Used when referring to something that forms the main or most important part of something else, often used in organizational or geographical contexts.

  • The central idea of the essay is clear
  • The central office is located downtown
intermediate

Used to describe something that is in between two other things in terms of level, amount, or degree, often used in stages of progress or education.

  • She enrolled in an intermediate French class
  • This is an intermediate step in the process
midway

Used to describe a point that is equally distant from two other points, often referring to distances rather than objects.

  • We met midway between our homes
  • The check-up is scheduled for midway through the month

Examples of usage

  • She chose the middle seat in the row.
  • The middle child often feels neglected.

Translations

Translations of the word "middle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 meio

🇮🇳 मध्य

🇩🇪 Mitte

🇮🇩 tengah

🇺🇦 середина

🇵🇱 środek

🇯🇵 中間

🇫🇷 milieu

🇪🇸 medio

🇹🇷 orta

🇰🇷 중간

🇸🇦 وسط

🇨🇿 střed

🇸🇰 stred

🇨🇳 中间

🇸🇮 sredina

🇮🇸 miðja

🇰🇿 ортасы

🇬🇪 შუა

🇦🇿 orta

🇲🇽 medio

Etymology

The word 'middle' originated from Middle English 'middel', from Old English 'midel', which is derived from Proto-Germanic 'midlaz'. It has been used in the English language since the 12th century. The concept of 'middle' has been integral to human understanding of spatial and temporal relationships, leading to its widespread use in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At #869 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.