amid
uh-MIHD
Amid (prep) means In the middle of; surrounded by. Example: “Amid the cheering crowds, the winning team slowly lifted the trophy.”
prep
1
In the middle of; surrounded by.
"In Osaka, the big action scenes take place with arrows as well as swords, amid glass display cases holding samurai costumes, a classic Wick setting."
— Caryn James, John Wick: Chapter 4: 'Soars above most action films' (2023)
"Amid the cheering crowds, the winning team slowly lifted the trophy."
"Amid all the fevered anticipation of this fixture, few would have expected to witness an aesthetically pleasing example of the beautiful game."
— Stephen Halliday, Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland: Maloney the hero (2014)
"The old cottage stood amid a field of wildflowers."
"She stayed calm amid the chaos of the launch."
How to use amid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA more formal way of saying "in the middle of" or "surrounded by."
When to use it
More common in news writing and formal prose than in everyday speech, where "among" or "in the middle of" is more natural.
Common pairings
amid the chaos
amid growing concerns
amid criticism
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_____ the cheering crowds, the winning team slowly lifted the trophy.
Etymology
From Old English on middan, "in the middle" — related to "mid" and "middle."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for amid
See all rhymes for amid →Frequently asked questions
What does “amid” mean?
The word “amid” means in the middle of; surrounded by. In plain terms, a more formal way of saying "in the middle of" or "surrounded by.".
How do you pronounce “amid”?
“Amid” is pronounced uh-MIHD (/əˈmɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “amid” in a sentence?
Here is “amid” used in a sentence: “The old cottage stood amid a field of wildflowers.”
What part of speech is “amid”?
“Amid” is a preposition.
Where does the word “amid” come from?
The word “amid” comes from Old English. From Old English on middan, "in the middle" — related to "mid" and "middle.".
Is “amid” a common word?
“Amid” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between amid and amidst?
"Amid" and "amidst" mean the same thing, "in the middle of" or "surrounded by," and are interchangeable. "Amid" is slightly more common in modern English, while "amidst" can sound a touch more literary or formal.
What is the difference between amid and among?
"Among" is used with countable, separate things, as in "among the trees," while "amid" is used for a mass, abstract situation, or something not counted individually, as in "amid the chaos." Choose "amid" when surrounded by an uncountable whole and "among" for distinct items.
Is amid formal or informal?
"Amid" is somewhat formal and appears most often in writing, especially journalism, as in "amid growing concern." In everyday speech, phrases like "in the middle of" or "surrounded by" are more common.
Does amid take a singular or plural noun?
"Amid" is typically followed by a singular mass noun or an abstract situation, as in "amid the confusion" or "amid uncertainty." When the surrounding things are countable and plural, "among" is usually the better choice.
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