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 tension between highbrow and lowbrow comedy, and what is deemed acceptable by image-conscious Black middle-class audiences, continues to ignite fierce debate—nearly a century after Stepin Fetchit first appeared on-screen. —Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Set against the wave of democratization and cultural modernization that swept through South Korea in the early 1990s, the series centers on a middle-class family concealing a treasonous secret. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

Noun

But where Kohl saw a blow to Idaho’s middle class, Bernt saw an opportunity. —Mark Dee march 26, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026

Pew Research defines middle class as households earning two-thirds to two-times the median income, and in Wisconsin, that means an annual income between $51,659 and $154,976, the report says. —Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 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