Standard Lemma guide

middle-class

adj · 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

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  • CMU ARPABET: M IH1 D AH0 L K L AE1 S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Occupying a position between the working class and the upper class.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Characteristic of the middle class(es); reflective of that class's values and aspirations. Commonly associated with a desire for social respectability and an emphasis on family values and education.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective

Meaning 3

occupying a socioeconomic position intermediate between those of the lower classes and the wealthy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: lower-class, upper-class

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: keskiluokkainen — between the upper class and working class
  • German: großbürgerlich — between the upper class and working class
  • Irish: meánaicmeach — between the upper class and working class
  • Italian: borghese — between the upper class and working class
  • Macedonian: среднокла́сен (srednoklásen) — between the upper class and working class
  • Polish: z klasy średniej — between the upper class and working class
  • Spanish: burgués — between the upper class and working class
  • Spanish: de clase media — between the upper class and working class
  • Spanish: clase media — between the upper class and working class
  • Spanish: clasemediero — between the upper class and working class
  • Finnish: keskiluokkainen — characteristic of the middle class
  • Irish: meánaicmeach — characteristic of the middle class
  • Italian: borghese — characteristic of the middle class
  • Polish: z klasy średniej — characteristic of the middle class
Real reading context

middle-class in complete knowledge articles