midst
The middle part or central position of something. It is most often used to describe being surrounded by people, things, or a specific situation.
Examples
3 of 5We were in the midst of dinner when the phone rang.
We were in the middle of dinner when the phone rang.
The new law was passed in the midst of great social change.
The new law was passed in the middle of great social change.
I'm in the midst of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!
I'm in the middle of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Look at the first three letters: 'MID'. This is the same as 'MIDdle'. Think of the 'ST' as standing for 'STationary'—staying right in the center.
Quick Quiz
The lost traveler found himself in the ______ of a dark forest.
Correct!
The correct answer is: midst
Examples
We were in the midst of dinner when the phone rang.
everydayWe were in the middle of dinner when the phone rang.
The new law was passed in the midst of great social change.
formalThe new law was passed in the middle of great social change.
I'm in the midst of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!
informalI'm in the middle of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!
The study was published in the midst of a global debate on climate.
academicThe study was published in the middle of a global debate on climate.
Our company is in the midst of a major transition to new software.
businessOur company is in the middle of a major transition to new software.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in the midst of doing something
while busy doing something
a stranger in our midst
a person we don't know who is in our group
in the midst of it all
while everything else is happening
Often Confused With
'Mist' is a light fog or water vapor in the air, while 'midst' refers to a middle position.
'Amidst' is a preposition meaning 'among', whereas 'midst' is a noun meaning the 'middle part'.
Usage Notes
The word 'midst' is mostly used in the fixed phrase 'in the midst of'. It is more formal and poetic than 'in the middle of'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to include the article 'the' before 'midst'. They also sometimes spell it without the 'd' or 's'.
Memory Tip
Look at the first three letters: 'MID'. This is the same as 'MIDdle'. Think of the 'ST' as standing for 'STationary'—staying right in the center.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English word 'middes', with an added 't' sound that appeared over time to help with pronunciation.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In older English and literature (like the Bible or Shakespeare), 'in our midst' was a common way to say someone was present within a group.
Quick Quiz
The lost traveler found himself in the ______ of a dark forest.
Correct!
The correct answer is: midst
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
homoducable
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C1Describing a state or quality of silence or pause that occurs between vocalizations or segments of dialogue. It characterizes the meaningful transition or rhythmic gap in speech or musical performance where voices are suspended.
extraprobful
C1A specialized term used in advanced logic and data analysis to describe an excessive or supplementary amount of verifying evidence. It refers to a state of surplus certainty where the proof provided exceeds the standard requirements for validation.
uniservive
C1The organizational concept or state of providing integrated, unified service delivery through a single access point. It refers to the consolidation of various administrative or support functions into one streamlined system to improve efficiency and user experience.
perialiion
C1To perialiion is to navigate or transition through a phase of close proximity to a boundary, central point, or specific limit without fully merging with it. It describes a precise, cyclical movement that skirts the edges of a concept or physical space, often used in technical or metaphorical contexts.
underjudible
C1Describing something that cannot be adequately assessed or evaluated because it lacks sufficient detail, evidence, or falls below the necessary threshold for judgment. It is typically used in technical or formal contexts to indicate that a standard of measurement cannot be applied.
semiequion
C1A semiequion refers to a state of partial or incomplete equilibrium within a complex system, where certain variables are balanced while others remain in flux. It is primarily used in specialized mathematical modeling or theoretical logic to describe a stable midpoint that does not reach full parity.
inprivdom
C1To sequester or convert public information, assets, or processes into a private domain, often for the purpose of exclusive control or internal processing. It describes the act of moving something from a shared or public space into a restricted, private environment.
hyperspecile
C1To concentrate on or restrict oneself to an extremely narrow and specific field, subject, or niche. It refers to the process of refining a focus to such a high degree that it excludes broader contexts or applications.
hyperpendward
C1A hyperpendward refers to a state of extreme directional over-correction or an excessive swing past a central point in a pendular system. It is used both in mechanical contexts to describe physical oscillation and metaphorically to describe systems that have moved too far in one direction after attempting to find balance.
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