mild

adjective

ˈmī(-ə)ld 

1

: gentle in nature or behavior

has a mild disposition

a mild-mannered man who rarely lost his temper

2

a(1)

: moderate in action or effect

a mild sedative

(2)

: not sharp, spicy, or bitter

mild cheese

mild ale

b

: not being or involving what is extreme

an analysis under mild conditions

a mild case of the flu

3

: not severe : temperate

a mild climate

mild symptoms of disease

mildly

mī(-ə)l(d)-lē 

adverb

mildness

ˈmī(-ə)l(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of mild

• temperate
• moderate
• gentle
• sunny

Examples of mild in a Sentence

He has a mild manner.

He was a mild-mannered man who rarely became angry.

They had a mild disagreement.

She has a mild case of the flu.

He suffered a mild concussion attack.

a mild reprimand, not a stern one

We've been having a very mild winter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some individuals have dramatic onset of severe breathing difficulty, while others have more subtle signs, such as mild shortness of breath with exercise or vague chest discomfort. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026

Front Range residents can expect breezy conditions to continue Wednesday, with milder winds expected through most of the state, according to the National Weather Service. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026

The Baltimore area’s forecast this week calls for mild temperatures and an increasing likelihood of rain, plus a chance of snow. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026

Wednesday starts mild with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. —Michael Autovino, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English milde; akin to Greek malthakos soft, Latin mollis — more at melt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mild

• mild-mannered
• mild steel

Rhymes for mild

• filed
• piled
• riled
• smiled
• styled
• tiled
• wild
• beguiled
• brainchild
• compiled
• defiled
• exiled

Kids Definition

mild

adjective

ˈmī(ə)ld 

1

: gentle in nature or behavior

a mild person

2

a

: not strong in action or effect

a mild drug

b

: not sharp, spicy, or bitter

a mild cheese

3

: not severe : temperate sense 5

mild weather

mildly

ˈmī(ə)l-(d)lē 

adverb

mildness

ˈmī(ə)l(d)-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

mild

adjective

ˈmī(ə)ld 

1

: moderate in action or effect

a mild drug

2

: not severe

a mild case of the flu