Middle

/ˈmɪd.əl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The point or part that is equally distant from the extremes; the center.

The middle of the room was cleared for dancing.

A position or state that is intermediate between two extremes.

Her opinions are often in the middle, balancing both sides.

verb

To place or position in the center.

Please middle the painting on the wall.

adjective

Located at an equal distance from the sides, ends, or parts.

He was sitting in the middle seat of the car.

Not extreme or excessive; moderate.

She prefers middle class neighborhoods that are neither too wealthy nor too impoverished.

Old English 'middele', from Proto-Germanic *midjan, meaning 'middle, center'

in the middle of nowhere

In a remote or isolated place.

middleman

A person who facilitates transactions between two parties.

caught in the middle

Being in a difficult situation between two opposing sides.

midpoint

The exact middle point between two extremes.

midsection

The central part of something, often used in context of the body.

median

The middle value in a list of numbers, separating the higher half from the lower half.

Middle child syndrome

Feeling overlooked as a middle child.

Middle of the road

A middle-of-the-road approach is preferred in negotiations.