midmorning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral, slightly more common in written than spoken contexts.
Quick answer
What does “midmorning” mean?
the middle part of the morning, between early morning and noon.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the middle part of the morning, between early morning and noon.
A time of day, often perceived as a productive or social period; can refer to a specific event (like a snack or meeting) occurring during this time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in meaning and frequency. Spelling may occasionally be hyphenated ('mid-morning') in UK style guides, but solid spelling is standard in both.
Connotations
Neutral time marker in both. In business contexts, can imply a meeting slot.
Frequency
Similar frequency; perhaps slightly more common in American weather/traffic reports (e.g., 'midmorning showers').
Grammar
How to Use “midmorning” in a Sentence
[time preposition] + midmorning (at, by, until, after)midmorning + noun (midmorning break)Verb + in/during + the midmorningVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “midmorning” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The courier arrived midmorning, much to our relief.
- We usually break for tea midmorning.
American English
- The fog cleared midmorning, revealing blue skies.
- I'll call you midmorning to finalise the details.
adjective
British English
- We took a midmorning stroll along the promenade.
- The mid-morning forecast predicts scattered showers.
American English
- She scheduled a midmorning conference call.
- He enjoys a midmorning energy bar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a time slot for meetings or a scheduled break. E.g., 'The report is due by midmorning.'
Academic
Used descriptively in historical or sociological texts to specify time periods.
Everyday
Most common for planning or describing daily routines. E.g., 'Let's have a coffee midmorning.'
Technical
Used in meteorology, transportation, or medical schedules (e.g., 'midmorning observations').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “midmorning”
- Using as a precise time: 'Meet me at midmorning' (prefer 'in the midmorning').
- Spelling: 'mid morning' (two words) is less standard than 'midmorning' or 'mid-morning'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word ('midmorning') in modern usage. The hyphenated form ('mid-morning') is also correct, especially in UK English, but less frequent.
There is no precise clock time. It contextually refers to the period between early morning (after breakfast/start of work) and noon, typically around 9 am to 11 am.
Yes, it functions as a temporal adverb. For example: 'The package arrived midmorning.' No preposition is needed in this adverbial use.
'Midmorning' specifically suggests the middle of the morning. 'Forenoon' is a more formal, slightly dated term for the period from sunrise to noon, and is less commonly used in everyday speech.
the middle part of the morning, between early morning and noon.
Midmorning is usually neutral, slightly more common in written than spoken contexts. in register.
Midmorning: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdˈmɔːnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdˈmɔːrnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'midmorning']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the day as a sandwich: 'MID' is the filling between 'morning' and 'afternoon'. Midmorning is the filling between early morning and lunch.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (an event happens *in* the midmorning); TIME IS A RESOURCE (we *have* until midmorning).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'midmorning' correctly?