A1 noun Literary #2,603 most common

midst

/mɪdst/

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 5
1

We were in the midst of dinner when the phone rang.

We were in the middle of dinner when the phone rang.

2

The new law was passed in the midst of great social change.

The new law was passed in the middle of great social change.

3

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

Noun
midst
Adverb
amidst
Adjective
mid
Related
middle
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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

1

We were in the midst of dinner when the phone rang.

everyday

We were in the middle of dinner when the phone rang.

2

The new law was passed in the midst of great social change.

formal

The new law was passed in the middle of great social change.

3

I'm in the midst of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!

informal

I'm in the middle of cleaning my room, so it's a total mess!

4

The study was published in the midst of a global debate on climate.

academic

The study was published in the middle of a global debate on climate.

5

Our company is in the midst of a major transition to new software.

business

Our company is in the middle of a major transition to new software.

Word Family

Noun
midst
Adverb
amidst
Adjective
mid
Related
middle

Common Collocations

in the midst of in the middle of
from the midst of from the middle of
the midst of winter the middle of winter
in our midst among us / in our group
the midst of chaos the middle of a chaotic situation

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

midst vs mist

'Mist' is a light fog or water vapor in the air, while 'midst' refers to a middle position.

midst vs amidst

'Amidst' is a preposition meaning 'among', whereas 'midst' is a noun meaning the 'middle part'.

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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'.

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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

Used as a singular noun. Almost always follows the preposition 'in' or 'from'. Functions as part of a prepositional phrase: in the midst of + [noun/gerund].
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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 Words

homoducable

C1

To adapt, guide, or standardize a set of diverse elements so they conform to a single, unified, or human-centric model. In specific contexts, it refers to the act of leading different groups toward a synchronized state of behavior or belief.

intervoctude

C1

Describing 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

C1

A 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

C1

The 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

C1

To 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

C1

Describing 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

C1

A 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

C1

To 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

C1

To 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

C1

A 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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