Middle English
noun
: the English in use from the 12th to 15th centuries see Indo-European Languages Table
Examples of Middle English in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Today’s Wordle Etymology The word vixen comes from Middle English fixen, a southern dialectal form of fox with a feminine suffix -en (similar to how ox → oxen for plural).
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The etymology traces back through Middle English, to Anglo-French, and ultimately to the Latin aequus, meaning equal or fair.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The modern sense of excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions, developed in Middle English and solidified in the 16th–17th centuries.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Cannon Origin: Cannon is of Middle English and Latin origin.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025
As with many English words, its history reflects the language's development through various stages and influences, including Old English, Middle English, and the interaction with other languages and cultures over the centuries.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The Chaucer findings are of great interest to my wife, who is a Middle English scholar, and to Cannon, a family friend, because the quality of Chaucer’s personal character matters a lot to anybody who teaches his work.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2022
Tolkien believed students should focus on Old and Middle English texts, while Lewis thought English Literature post-Geoffrey Chaucer was preferable.
—Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022
The Middle English lyrics tell of Christ’s birth: A nywe werke is come on honde.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
The etymology traces back through Middle English, to Anglo-French, and ultimately to the Latin aequus, meaning equal or fair.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The modern sense of excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions, developed in Middle English and solidified in the 16th–17th centuries.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Cannon Origin: Cannon is of Middle English and Latin origin.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025
As with many English words, its history reflects the language's development through various stages and influences, including Old English, Middle English, and the interaction with other languages and cultures over the centuries.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
The Chaucer findings are of great interest to my wife, who is a Middle English scholar, and to Cannon, a family friend, because the quality of Chaucer’s personal character matters a lot to anybody who teaches his work.
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 18 Oct. 2022
Tolkien believed students should focus on Old and Middle English texts, while Lewis thought English Literature post-Geoffrey Chaucer was preferable.
—Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022
The Middle English lyrics tell of Christ’s birth: A nywe werke is come on honde.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Middle English.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Middle%20English. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share