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

a typical middle-class family

traditional middle-class values

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

Many middle-class Jewish families first migrated to Crown Heights after World War II, according to the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council. —Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025

Suzanne is a middle-class widow with Palestinian roots, a mother of two adult children and well over twice his age. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Dec. 2025

Noun

The rising middle class Yet, Mann argues that there are reasons to be optimistic about Southeast Asia’s growth. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

As the Indian economy has grows, surplus incomes across middle class and upper middle class are being invested across multiple financial products, said Vivek Sharma, head of international business at Nuvama Private. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 Dec. 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