middle class: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral, Informal
Quick answer
What does “middle class” mean?
The social class between the working class and the upper class, traditionally composed of white-collar workers, professionals, and small business owners.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The social class between the working class and the upper class, traditionally composed of white-collar workers, professionals, and small business owners.
A socioeconomic group often defined by moderate wealth, secure employment, home ownership, and values associated with education, propriety, and social stability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, historical definitions were more rigidly linked to occupation and background, while in the US, it is more closely tied to income, consumption, and lifestyle.
Connotations
In both, it can carry positive connotations (stability, aspiration) or negative ones (conformity, materialism). In UK political discourse, 'middle-class' can sometimes be used pejoratively.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, especially in political, economic, and social commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “middle class” in a Sentence
the ~ of [country]a ~ [family/neighbourhood/upbringing]~ [noun] as in 'middle-class voters'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “middle class” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- They had a very middle-class concern about which private school to choose.
- Her tastes were decidedly middle-class: a Volvo and holidays in Cornwall.
American English
- They lived in a middle-class neighborhood with good schools.
- It was a middle-class worry about property taxes and retirement funds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Analysts are studying the purchasing power of the emerging middle class in Southeast Asia.
Academic
The study examines the role of the Victorian middle class in shaping public policy.
Everyday
They worked hard to give their kids a solid, middle-class upbringing.
Technical
Sociologists define the middle class by income percentiles, occupation, and self-identification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “middle class”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “middle class”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “middle class”
- Using 'middle-class' as a verb (*He middle-classed his way into the club).
- Misspelling as one word ('middleclass').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a noun phrase ('the middle class'), but it is commonly used attributively as an adjective ('a middle-class lifestyle'). Hyphenate when used before a noun.
Traditionally, 'working class' refers to people in manual or industrial labour, often paid hourly. 'Middle class' refers to salaried professionals, managers, and white-collar workers. The distinction is now often based on income, education, and type of work.
Yes. It can be used pejoratively to imply conventionality, materialism, or social climbing (e.g., 'middle-class values' used sarcastically).
There is no single definition. It can be based on income (e.g., middle 60% of earners), occupation (professional/managerial), lifestyle (homeownership, discretionary spending), or self-identification.
The social class between the working class and the upper class, traditionally composed of white-collar workers, professionals, and small business owners.
Middle class is usually formal, neutral, informal in register.
Middle class: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdl ˈklɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdl ˈklæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “middle-class morality”
- “middle-class trap”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a three-layer cake: the 'middle' layer is the substantial, filling 'middle class' between the base (working class) and the icing (upper class).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (the middle rungs); SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IS A CONTAINER (falling out of/into the middle class).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a typical characteristic associated with the 'middle class'?