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

At some stores, as late as the early 1990s, unionized employees earned middle-class wages. —Ann Larson, Time, 11 June 2026

And Americans' definitions of a comfortable middle-class lifestyle have grown, Suhay says. —Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 June 2026

Noun

Former Mayor Mike Walsh repeatedly emphasized that the loss of Stop & Shop and much of the surrounding retail base was triggered partly by declining buying power, and said those stores wouldn’t be coming back until the town bolstered its middle class. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Are you considered middle class? —Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for middle-class

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

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