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

By 2024, that had reversed almost completely, with middle-class voters breaking for Trump by 52 percent and 46 percent choosing the Democrats. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

That means even a $150,000 salary — once a clear marker of affluence — still lands within the middle-class range in nearly half the country. —Mike Winters, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025

Noun

Outside of a few exceptions—notably Isaiah Hartenstein and Tobias Harris—the NBA's middle class largely had to settle for lower-than-expected contracts in free agency last year. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

President Donald Trump's approval rating is slipping among America's middle class, according to new polling data. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 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