prep
Uncommon
amidst
a-MIHDST
Amidst (prep) means In the midst of; surrounded by (a more old-fashioned form of "amid"). Example: “They found a moment of peace amidst the noise of the festival.”
prep
1
In the midst of; surrounded by (a more old-fashioned form of "amid").
"They found a moment of peace amidst the noise of the festival."
How to use amidst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeans the same as "amid" — surrounded by or in the middle of something.
UK vs US
Slightly more common in British English than American English, which tends to prefer "amid."
Easily confused with
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Etymology
A later form of "amiddes," built from "amid" plus an extra "-s" and "-t" ending, common in Middle English.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “amidst” mean?
The word “amidst” means in the midst of; surrounded by (a more old-fashioned form of "amid"). In plain terms, means the same as "amid" — surrounded by or in the middle of something.
How do you pronounce “amidst”?
“Amidst” is pronounced a-MIHDST (/aˈmɪdst/ in IPA).
How do you use “amidst” in a sentence?
Here is “amidst” used in a sentence: “They found a moment of peace amidst the noise of the festival.”
What part of speech is “amidst”?
“Amidst” is a preposition.
Where does the word “amidst” come from?
The word “amidst” comes from Middle English. A later form of "amiddes," built from "amid" plus an extra "-s" and "-t" ending, common in Middle English.
Is “amidst” a common word?
“Amidst” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "amidst" and "amid"?
"Amidst" and "amid" mean exactly the same thing — surrounded by or in the middle of something — but "amidst" is the older, more old-fashioned form. "Amid" is more common in modern writing, while "amidst" tends to appear in more literary or formal contexts.
Is it correct to say "amidst" or "amongst" in modern English?
Both are grammatically correct, but they are not interchangeable in meaning: "amidst" means surrounded by or in the midst of, while "amongst" means among a group of countable things or people. Modern style guides generally prefer the shorter "amid" and "among" in everyday writing, reserving "amidst" and "amongst" for a more formal or literary tone.
Is "amidst" formal or informal?
"Amidst" has a distinctly formal, somewhat old-fashioned feel compared to "amid," and it appears more often in literary prose, poetry, or ceremonial language than in casual conversation or everyday writing.
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