mild

adjective

ˈmī(-ə)ld 

1

: gentle in nature or behavior

has a mild disposition

2

a(1)

: moderate in action or effect

a mild sedative

(2)

: not sharp, spicy, or bitter

mild cheese

mild ale

b

: not being or involving what is extreme

an analysis under mild conditions

3

: not severe : temperate

a mild climate

mild symptoms of disease

mildly

mī(-ə)l(d)-lē 

adverb

mildness

ˈmī(-ə)l(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• balmy
• clement
• equable
• genial
• gentle
• moderate
• soft
• temperate

Examples of mild in a Sentence

He has a mild manner.

He was a mild-mannered man who rarely became angry.

They had a mild disagreement.

She has a mild case of the flu.

He suffered a mild concussion attack.

a mild reprimand, not a stern one

We've been having a very mild winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Breezy in the morning; otherwise, milder with times of clouds and sun. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 12 June 2024

Normally, potatoes can be a bit ho-hum, and their mild flavor sings back-up to the more aggressive seasonings, dressings, and herbs they’re often tossed with. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2024

What happens next The committee voted that for most people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, the data showed donanemab is effective in slowing their cognitive decline, and that the benefits outweighed the risks of the medication. —Alice Park, TIME, 11 June 2024

That’s a mild increase, one that might happen normally over the course of a day without high heat, Gagnon said. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English milde; akin to Greek malthakos soft, Latin mollis — more at melt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mild

• mild steel

Kids Definition

mild

adjective

ˈmī(ə)ld 

1

: gentle in nature or behavior

a mild person

2

a

: not strong in action or effect

a mild drug

b

: not sharp, spicy, or bitter

a mild cheese

3

: not severe : temperate sense 5

mild weather

mildly

ˈmī(ə)l-(d)lē 

adverb

mildness

ˈmī(ə)l(d)-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

mild

adjective

ˈmī(ə)ld 

1

: moderate in action or effect

a mild drug

2

: not severe

a mild case of the flu