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

Think middle-class families gathered around picnic tables, pitchers of lemonade sweating in the heat, baskets brimming with soft buns, and squeeze bottles of ketchup and mustard. —Ashley Rose Young, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026

Quakertown was a Black middle-class community with a doctor, grocery store, drug store, restaurants and other businesses. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026

Noun

But porters were able to supplement their wages with tips, which helped propel their families toward the middle class. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026

President Biden promised a less militarized foreign policy, one that worked for the middle class. —Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 17 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