middle
middle
Pronunciation
middle
IPA: /ˈmɪdəl/
Syllable Breakdown:
mid-: /mɪd/
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal consonant
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive consonant
-dle: /əl/
/ə/ - mid-central unrounded vowel (schwa)
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant consonant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: middle
Plural Noun: middles (less common, usually refers to distinct "middle parts")
Adjective: middle
Verb: middle (less common, often used informally or in specific contexts, e.g., "to middle a negotiation")
Adverb: middling (derived from "middle," meaning "moderately" or "fairly well")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The central point, position, or part of something, equidistant from the extremes or boundaries.
Synonyms: center, core, midpoint, heart, interior, midst
Antonyms: edge, periphery, boundary, end, start, beginning
Definition: An intermediate period of time between a beginning and an end.
Synonyms: interim, halfway point, midst, interval
Antonyms: beginning, start, end, conclusion, outset
Definition: (Informal) The waist or abdominal area of the human body.
Synonyms: waist, abdomen, belly, midsection
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning)
Adjective
Definition: Situated in or constituting the center or an equidistant position.
Synonyms: central, core, median, intermediate, halfway
Antonyms: outer, extreme, peripheral, initial, final
Definition: Being at an intermediate stage, period, or level.
Synonyms: intermediate, midway, interim, moderate
Antonyms: first, last, primary, ultimate, extreme
Verb
Definition: To place or be placed in the center; to find or occupy a central position.
Synonyms: center, position, locate, situate
Antonyms: decentralize, displace, remove, sideline
Definition: (Informal, often in specific contexts) To act as a mediator or go-between in a dispute or negotiation.
Synonyms: mediate, intercede, arbitrate, negotiate
Antonyms: exacerbate, inflame, worsen, abstain
Adverb
Definition (as "middling"): To a moderate or fairly good extent; neither very good nor very bad.
Synonyms: moderately, reasonably, fairly, tolerably, so-so
Antonyms: extremely, exceptionally, poorly, badly, superbly
Examples of Use
Books:
"Frodo Baggins found himself in the very middle of a grand adventure, far from the quiet comfort of the Shire." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)
"She opened the book to the middle, where a faded photograph was tucked between the pages." (From a contemporary novel)
Newspapers:
"The debate over the new economic policy often finds common ground in the middle, avoiding the extremes of both sides." ( The New York Times)
"Heavy rains are expected to persist through the middle of next week, meteorologists warned." (The Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Experts suggest that the housing market may finally be cooling, reaching a more sustainable middle ground between buyer and seller expectations." (Bloomberg.com)
"The article delves into the challenges faced by individuals in middle management roles, often caught between executive decisions and front-line implementation." (Harvard Business Review Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The scene takes place in the middle of a bustling city square, capturing the chaotic energy of urban life." (Movie review of a popular action film)
Television Series: "In the middle of the season finale, a shocking plot twist completely altered the trajectory of the main characters." (Discussion forum for a popular streaming series)
Music: "You can hear the piano riff prominently in the middle of the song, providing a melodic anchor." (Online music review of a new album)
Video Games: "Players must navigate a treacherous swamp located directly in the middle of the game's open world map." (Game guide for a fantasy RPG)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's meet in the middle and compromise on a time that works for everyone." (Casual conversation)
"She always manages to be at the middle of every social gathering, effortlessly mingling with different groups." (Observation about a person's social habits)
"I'm in the middle of cooking dinner right now, so I'll call you back in a bit." (Phone conversation)
10 Quotes Using Middle
"The best way out is always through the middle." (Robert Frost)
"I'm a fairly efficient person. I've always been a middle-of-the-road type." (George W. Bush)
"You want to be a writer, you write. You don't wait for an invitation to the dance. You don't wait until you're in the middle of a big book, and you don't wait for a publisher." (Anne Rice)
"When you find yourself in the middle of a story and you don't know whether to go forward or backward, just stop. Go sideways." (M. K. Asante Jr.)
"If you want to be heard, you have to be in the middle of the arena." (James Carville)
"I believe the common man is as true a gentleman as the best of them, provided he is in the middle class." (Charles Dickens)
"The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but in the middle it's a hell of a lot of fun." (Attributed to Wavy Gravy)
"And when you're in the middle of a story, and you're thinking, 'Oh, God, I'm stuck, I don't know where to go next,' you have to go back to the beginning." (Neil Gaiman)
"Success is not a destination, but the road that you're on. Being on the road to success is a middle ground, but it's a wonderful place to be." (Tony Robbins)
"The middle class is not a number. It is a feeling." (Elizabeth Warren)
Etymology
The word "middle" has a long history, tracing its roots all the way back to an ancient language that's the ancestor of many European languages, called Proto-Indo-European. The original idea was something like "*medhyo-", meaning "middle" or "between."
This ancient root then evolved into the Proto-Germanic word "*midlą" or "*midilą." From there, it made its way into Old English as "middel," which meant "middle, center, or waist."
So, the first known meaning of "middle" was essentially what we understand it to be today: the central point or part of something, or a position between two extremes. We can see its use as far back as the Old English period, which was before the year 1150.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Middle
In the middle of nowhere: In a very remote or isolated place.
In the middle of things: Actively involved in an ongoing situation or activity.
Middle ground: A position of compromise or agreement between two extreme or opposing views.
Middle-of-the-road: Not extreme; moderate in opinions or policies.
Caught in the middle: To be in a difficult position between two opposing people or groups.
The middle of the road: The moderate or mainstream position.
To cut out the middleman: To deal directly with the producer or source, avoiding an intermediary.
Middle management: The level of management between senior management and frontline employees.
Middle of the night: The deepest part of the night, usually around midnight.
To meet someone in the middle: To compromise with someone.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of middle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
