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

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

But in June, middle-class confidence gave out. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Getty Images for IMDb Director Alex Winter’s Adulthood might be about the secrets and struggles of America's middle-class, but there's something very British about the darkly comedic romp. —Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Noun

This boom also led to the rise of the Indian middle class, and urban centers such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune prospered thanks to the IT industry. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

Homeownership, once the bedrock of the American middle class, is slipping away. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

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