middling
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middling
- /ˈmɪdlɪŋ/ UK
- /ˈmɪdl̩ɪŋ/ UK
- /ˈmɪd(ə)lɪŋ/ US
Where it comes from
The noun is probably from middle (noun) + -ing; the adjective is most likely derived from the noun, and the adverb from the adjective.
adjective more middling · most middling
-
Of intermediate or average size, position, or quality; mediocre.
The football team is never the worst or best in its league; its position is always middling.
Similar: average, medium, unexceptional, comme ci comme ça, crappy, moderate, decent, indifferent, lackluster, meh, mediocre, mid
- In fairly good health. I am in a middling Way, between Healthy and Sick, hardly ever without a little Giddineſs or Deafneſs, and ſometimes both: So much for that.
adverb more middling · most middling
- Fairly, moderately, somewhat. St. Jerom ſeated, a middling ſized upright plate, from J. Palma, dated 1596. I think this is one of the fineſt prints by this great maſter. The drawing is admirable, and the engraving is executed with the utmoſt freedom.
- Not too badly, with modest success.
noun middlings
- Something of intermediate or average size, position, or quality. Middlings are less likely to adopt worker commitment than are Leaders, but the two groups are equally likely to adopt organisational responsibility. […] Middlings have not been able to effectively implement innovative environmental programmes and proactive social programmes.
- Preceded by the: people of moderate means; members of the middle class. The war had been significantly financed by the poor and the middling, who purchased bonds that quickly devalued from wartime inflation; debt speculators had bought much of this debt at a fraction of the original cost.
Translations
Talk about this word "middling." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/middling. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. middling. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/middling "middling." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/middling.Cite this
@misc{middling_2026,
title = {middling},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/middling},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
