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

Vice President Kamala Harris refused to accept any responsibility for the inflation that has devastated the middle-class and lower-income groups. —Richard Stacy, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2024

She’s also vowed to expand the child tax credit for lower- and middle-class families and wants to provide a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers. —Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Despite bipartisan appeal, support for crypto-friendly candidates leans slightly Democratic, with 54% favoring candidates like Vice President Harris, who emphasizes crypto’s potential to promote economic advancement for the middle class. —Tonya Evans, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Harris also has an edge over Trump on the issue of who looks out for the middle class. —Amie Parnes, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

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