Language Research

middle · noun

/ˈmɪd.əl/Full view

the middle

A2 in the central part, or in a central position

Dictionary examples:

This is my class photo - I'm the one in the middle.

He was standing in the middle of the road.

The middle of the road was covered with weeds.

Learner example:

The mirror is in the middle. There [are] flowers on the left and right of the mirror. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)

the middle

B1 the central point in a period of time

Dictionary examples:

The letter should arrive by the middle of next week.

The noise woke us up in the middle of the night.

Learner example:

Once, she woke up in the middle of the night and there was the ghost of her husband's wife. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

be in the middle of (doing) sth

B1 to be busy or involved in something

Dictionary example:

I can't talk now - I'm in the middle of cooking a meal.

Learner example:

But while I was in the middle of my tour, I rec[e]ived another e-mail. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

in the middle of nowhere

B2 a long way from places where people live

Dictionary example:

His car broke down in the middle of nowhere.

Learner example:

You know I really don't want to [get] lost in the middle of nowhere. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

middle · adjective always before noun

/ˈmɪd.əl/

middle (CENTRAL)

B2 in a central position

Dictionary examples:

The knives and forks are in the middle drawer.

Our company rents the middle warehouse.

Learner example:

After some minute[s] and as I was going [along] in the middle l[a]ne, the car stopped. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

middle (NOT HIGH OR LOW)

C1 neither high nor low in importance, amount or size

Dictionary examples:

middle managers

middle income families

Learner example:

However, women are mostly found in the low and middle income jobs and they are often working part-time. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)