middy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial; Australian/UK nautical slang.
Quick answer
What does “middy” mean?
A mid-ranking naval officer (especially a midshipman).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mid-ranking naval officer (especially a midshipman).
A colloquial Australian term for a 285ml (10 fl oz) glass or serving of beer, which is a standard size in many pubs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British (and Commonwealth) English, the primary meaning is the naval rank. In American English, the word is very rare and largely unknown outside of nautical/historical contexts. The Australian beverage meaning is almost exclusively Australian.
Connotations
UK: Nostalgic, historical, slightly informal or affectionate when referring to a midshipman. Australia: Casual, everyday, associated with pub culture.
Frequency
Low frequency in all varieties. Most common in Australian English for the drink size, and in UK nautical/historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “middy” in a Sentence
He ordered a [middy] of lager.The young [middy] stood his watch.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “middy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a middy's stripe on his sleeve.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or naval studies.
Everyday
Used in Australia when ordering beer. Rare elsewhere.
Technical
Nautical history contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “middy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “middy”
- Using 'middy' in the US expecting to be understood.
- Assuming the drink size is standard outside Australia.
- Spelling as 'midi' (which refers to length or a type of computer interface).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is low-frequency. It is most commonly used in Australia for a beer size, and is a historical/nautical term elsewhere.
No, 'middy' is only used as a noun.
A 'middy' is 285ml (10 fl oz), while a 'schooner' is typically 425ml (15 fl oz), making it a larger serving of beer.
Yes, in nautical contexts, 'middy' is the informal, colloquial term for a midshipman, a junior officer trainee.
A mid-ranking naval officer (especially a midshipman).
Middy is usually informal, colloquial; australian/uk nautical slang. in register.
Middy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪdi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A 'middy' is in the 'middle' of the naval ranks, and in the middle of beer sizes (between a small and large glass).
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS POSITION (for rank) / CONTAINER FOR CONTENT (for drink).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'middy' a standard term for a serving of beer?