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

Arrigo, instead, had already married a middle-class young woman, who despite being half-Parisian still had the tired, backward mentality of a provincial Italian girl. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Years of high inflation and financial mismanagement eroded middle-class wealth, while high-level corruption has empowered a handful of businessmen to enrich themselves. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

Not only that, but the population was booming, the extreme opulence of the upper class contrasted sharply against the harrowing poverty found in the slums, the Romantic movement was flourishing, and the middle class was emerging. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

The severe inflation in the late 1940s that destroyed China’s anti-Communist middle class in urban areas helped enable Mao’s Communists to triumph in that country’s civil war. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 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