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

The get-in price for the United States' opening-round game against Paraguay in Southern California on June 12 is around $1,000, and in this economy, a lot of the middle-class fans are feeling priced out. —Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

There have only been a few weeks between the end of her life as the beloved daughter of middle-class parents to her first days as a Pearl Girl. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026

Noun

While working as a bartender on Nantucket, part of the island’s dwindling middle class, Claire’s world cracks open when her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

The middle class is being priced out of our city, taking their local spending and tax payments with them. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 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