middle class

[mid-l klas] / ˈmɪd l ˈklæs /

NOUN

neither the nobility nor laboring class

Synonyms

STRONG

bourgeois bourgeoisie burgherdom educated class middle order middle-income group

NOUN

an economic class perceived as average

Synonyms

STRONG

Middle America hoi polloi middle order middle-income group ordinary people plain folks proletariat working class

ADJECTIVE

characteristic of the middle class

Synonyms

WEAK

bourgeois conformist conventional ordinary square traditional

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The property market, into which millions had poured their savings, is struggling to recover from a long-running crisis, while middle class incomes have stagnated and youth unemployment remains high.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

The cubicle-based jobs—customer service, data entry, payroll processing—created a vital ladder to the middle class, helping replace factory work lost to overseas competition.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Before the pandemic, China's burgeoning middle class produced plenty of first-time high-end buyers, said Lisa Nan, editor at Jing Daily, a publication that focuses on China's luxury market.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

"The middle class was shown this green pasture," he says.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

“We’re not rich but we are comfortable and we are middle class and our son is better off than we are.”

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

middle class

Example Sentences

Related Words