midst
mihdst
Midst (noun) means the middle part of something, whether a place, a group, or a situation. Example: “The little cottage stood in the midst of a quiet, green meadow.”
noun
1
The middle part of something, whether a place, a group, or a situation.
"The little cottage stood in the midst of a quiet, green meadow."
"They found themselves in the midst of a heated argument."
"A stranger stood in their midst."
prep
1
In the middle of; surrounded by; amid.
"A single candle glowed midst the darkness of the old cellar."
"Midst all the noise and laughter, the baby slept peacefully."
"She stayed calm midst the chaos of moving house."
How to use midst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRight in the middle of something — a place, a crowd, or an ongoing event.
When to use it
Slightly formal or literary; "in the middle of" is the everyday equivalent.
Common pairings
in the midst of
in our midst
in their midst
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Word forms
- Plural
- midsts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little cottage stood in the _____ of a quiet, green meadow.
Etymology
From Middle English middes/myddest, reshaped from Old English midde ("middle") on the pattern of superlative endings like "-est".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “midst” mean?
The word “midst” means the middle part of something, whether a place, a group, or a situation. In plain terms, right in the middle of something — a place, a crowd, or an ongoing event.
How do you pronounce “midst”?
“Midst” is pronounced mihdst (/mɪdst/ in IPA).
How do you use “midst” in a sentence?
Here is “midst” used in a sentence: “They found themselves in the midst of a heated argument.”
What part of speech is “midst”?
Depending on how it is used, “midst” can be a noun and a preposition.
Where does the word “midst” come from?
The word “midst” comes from Old English. From Middle English middes/myddest, reshaped from Old English midde ("middle") on the pattern of superlative endings like "-est".
Is “midst” a common word?
“Midst” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “midst” have?
“Midst” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the middle part of something, whether a place, a group, or a situation.
What is the difference between 'midst' and 'middle'?
'Middle' is the everyday word for a central point or position, while 'midst' is more formal or literary and usually means being surrounded by an activity, group, or situation, as in 'in the midst of chaos.' 'Midst' rarely describes a plain physical center the way 'middle' does.
What is the difference between 'midst' and 'amid'?
Both mean surrounded by, and as a preposition 'midst' is close to 'amid.' However, 'midst' most often appears in the fixed phrase 'in the midst of,' while 'amid' can stand directly before a noun, as in 'amid the crowd.'
When do you use 'in the midst of'?
The phrase 'in the midst of' is used to describe being in the middle of an ongoing situation, event, or group, as in 'in the midst of a meeting.' It stresses being surrounded by or deeply involved in something.
Is 'midst' a formal or informal word?
'Midst' is fairly formal and literary; in everyday speech people more often say 'middle' or 'the middle of.' It appears most naturally in the phrase 'in the midst of' and in writing rather than casual conversation.
