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

Elsewhere in the talk, Altschuler recalled bonding with King of the Hill co-creator Mike Judge over their middle-class background. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025

There are tax cuts on tips and overtime, and some broader middle-class tax reductions in the bill. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025

Noun

With less money being invested by record labels into touring, that has created a top-heavy artist hierarchy, with the rich getting richer and the poor and middle class falling by the wayside. —Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025

After years in the (ahem) wilderness of the NHL’s mushy middle class, the Wild appear positioned for something more, finally giving one of the most passionate markets in the league something to cheer for. —James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 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