ENGLISH
REFERENCE

midday

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //ˈmɪdˌdeɪ// UK //mˌɪddˈeɪ// mid·day

n. the middle of the day, specifically twelve o'clock in the daytime. You use this word to talk about the time when the sun is highest in the sky.

n. the middle part of the day, specifically twelve o'clock in the afternoon. Often used interchangeably with 'noon' in general contexts.


SIMPLE

The sun is strongest at midday.

CONTEXTUAL

We decided to stop for a quick lunch at midday before continuing our hike up the mountain.

COMPLEX

The town square, usually bustling with activity, fell into a heavy silence as the residents retreated indoors to escape the oppressive heat of the midday sun.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English midday, from Old English middæġ (“midday, noon”), equivalent to mid- + day. Cognate with Scots midday (“midday”), West Frisian middei (“midday, noon, afternoon”), Dutch middag (“midday, noon, afternoon”), German Mittag (“noon, midday, late morning, early afternoon”), Danish middag (“midday, noon, afternoon”), Norwegian Bokmål middag (“midday, noon, afternoon”), Swedish middag (“midday, noon, afternoon”).

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun ('midday sun', 'midday meal') or following the preposition 'at'.

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