Phrase guide

in medias res

adj · adv · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɪn ˌmiːdiəs ˈɹeɪz/
  • /ˌmiːdiæs/
  • /ˈrɛz/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /ɪn ˌmiːdiə ˈɹeɪ/ construed as French

1

adj

Meaning 1

Beginning in the middle of its storyline: said of a work of literature or a film.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Although not strictly in medias res, the film uses flashbacks extensively.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

In the middle of a storyline.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • This novel begins in medias res.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in-between

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Narrative presented in medias res.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin in mediās rēs (literally “into the middle of things”).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: in medias res — in the middle of a storyline
  • Polish: in medias res — in the middle of a storyline
  • Spanish: in medias res — in the middle of a storyline