middling

1 of 2

adjective

mid·​dling ˈmid-liŋ 

-lən

1

: of middle, medium, or moderate size, degree, or quality

2

: mediocre, second-rate

a middling performance

The food was fair to middling. [=not especially good]

3

: of, relating to, or being a middle class

middling adverb

middlingly

ˈmid-liŋ-lē 

-lən-

adverb

middling

2 of 2

noun

1

: any of various commodities of intermediate size, quality, or position

2

middlings plural in form but singular or plural in construction : a granular product of grain milling

especially : a wheat milling by-product used in animal feeds

Synonyms of middling

Adjective

• average
• median

Examples of middling in a Sentence

Adjective

tired of the city but not particularly interested in small-town life, he moved to a suburb of middling size

was disappointed in the renowned historian's latest book, which is only middling

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Dodgers’ 4-3 win over Tampa Bay rid them of their middling road performance. —Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026

Added to that underwhelming start were nine turnovers, all of which contributed to a middling offensive performance that helped San Antonio build its sizable lead. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026

Noun

People with middling to large social media followings have played a significant role in boosting gubernatorial candidates Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra, who are competing for the top of the Democratic field in the governor’s race ahead of the June 2 primary. —Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

After playing host to the middling to subpar Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers hit the road to play the Buffalo Bills and then the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing middling

• fair to middling

Kids Definition

middling

1 of 2 adjective

mid·​dling ˈmid-liŋ 

-lən

: of medium size, degree, or quality

middling adverb

middling

2 of 2 noun

1

: any of various products of medium quality or size

2

plural : a product produced by milling grain

especially : a product of wheat milling that is used in animal feeds