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

That's a fairly small savings for middle-class residents, according to local news outlet IPB News, which estimates the reduction will result in a tax cut of $33 for a worker earning $65,000 a year. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2025

This link takes you to an article that explains how to use it to turn your teen into a middle-class millionaire. —Chris Carosa, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

Research backs this up; studies show how the rising global middle class is changing the game. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Twenty-four participants – all middle class, male college students – had been chosen for the study. —Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 20 Dec. 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