Synonyms of middle-classnext
: of or relating to the middle class
especially : characterized by a high material standard of living, sexual morality, and respect for property
a typical middle-class family
traditional middle-class values

middle class

2 of 2

noun

: a class occupying a position between the upper class and the lower class
especially : a fluid heterogeneous socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics and values

Examples of middle-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
California has the fifth-highest income threshold for middle-class households in the country, with a 2026 middle-class income range of $66,766 to $200,298. Ruyuan Li. Summary Produced By Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Although still budget-friendly, these properties, aimed at middle-class travelers, reflected an upgrade in accommodations and offerings from those of Club Med. Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Noun
Even after the 1995 legislature created a new credit to offset a portion of local property taxes paid by the middle class, that group and the wealthy both paid very similar effective rates for most of the income tax’s first two decades. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 Those leaving the workforce are both men and women, and the majority are ages 25 to 34, says Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union who specializes in the economics of the middle class. Sarah Jackson jennifer Liu, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle-class

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of middle-class was in 1745

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Cite this Entry

“Middle-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-class. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

middle class

noun
: a social class that occupies a position between the upper class and the lower class and is composed mainly of business and professional people, government officials, farmers, and skilled workers
middle-class adjective

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