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

Before long, driving to the mall with your family to give your biggest, tightest smiles for a relatively affordable, 15-minute shoot (sometimes in matching outfits) felt like a middle-class custom. —Erin Sagen, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024

The drama explores the conflict between tradition and progress in modern-day Iran through a middle-class family whose two daughters question their father’s role in the government as student protests erupt in the streets. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024

Noun

That’s roughly 300% above the federal poverty line – not poor, but on the edge of middle class for a two-person household. —Dan Horn, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024

After decades of building homes largely for the affluent, following the Great Depression, Wright wanted to come up with a design system that would be accessible for the American middle class. —Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 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