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

In the late nineteenth century, middle-class white women were pouring into New York City from across the country to take advantage of the increasing number of professional opportunities in journalism, medicine, business, civic work, law, and the arts. —Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025

For decades, American culture has pushed college as the only path to middle-class prosperity while stigmatizing manual labor as somehow lesser work. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Noun

Republicans are spending the break talking up the tax and spending law, trying to combat Democrat's attempts to set the narrative that the bill is a tax cut for the rich that hurts the poor and middle class. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025

These comments confirm the gloomy remarks of University of Connecticut professor emeritus Peter Turchin, who recently talked with Fortune about the declining status of the upper middle class in 21st century America. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 2 Aug. 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