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

California has opted to eliminate copayments for some low-income and middle-class families, while Washington and Oregon cap what families pay. —Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

The disappearance of the middle-class mortgage does not represent merely a short-term challenge for individual families. —Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

Noun

The entire deal, however, seems designed to squeeze the WNBA’s middle class in order to facilitate high-profile raises to high-profile players. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026

In decades past, China’s ascendent middle class flocked to booming megacities to chase jobs and dreams, once abundant as the country went from rags to riches. —Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 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