Phrase guide

middle of the road

adj · 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

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Having a centrist attitude or philosophy; not extreme, especially politically.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • A typical middle of the road compromise is to leave the problem as it is.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: moderate, reasonable, measured, mellow, middle of the road, mild, nonexcessive, nonextreme, nonfanatic, proper, reasonous, sober, temperate, tempered, unexcessive, unextreme

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of a type of melodic popular music that has wide appeal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, sometimes

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The middle; the average.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • If us two competed together, we'd probably score just barely under the middle of the road.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.