middle-class

1 of 2

adjective

mid·​dle-class ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈklas 

: of or relating to the middle class

especially : characterized by a high material standard of living, sexual morality, and respect for property

a typical middle-class family

traditional middle-class values

middle-classness

ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈklas-nəs 

noun

middle class

2 of 2

noun

: a class occupying a position between the upper class and the lower class

especially : a fluid heterogeneous socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics and values

Examples of middle-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Richer pensions for middle-class public workers mean leaner services for the poor and higher taxes for everyone else. —Daniel Disalvo, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026

Upper-middle-class people almost never pick you up. —Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

The city with the highest income needed to stay middle class is San Jose, California, with a range of $98,817 to $296,452 and a median household income of $148,226. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

But if America maintains her free market principles, ever more people will join the upper-middle class in the decades to come. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for middle-class

• candlemas
• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras

Kids Definition

middle class

noun

: a social class that occupies a position between the upper class and the lower class and is composed mainly of business and professional people, government officials, farmers, and skilled workers

middle-class adjective