Word
midday
Phoneticsmid·day, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɪdˌdeɪ/
UK/mˌɪddˈeɪ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“The sun is strongest at midday.”
“We decided to stop for a quick lunch at midday before continuing our hike up the mountain.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier before another noun ('midday sun', 'midday meal') or following the preposition 'at'.
Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/midday