# midsummer

/ˈmɪdˈsəmɝ/ (US) · /mˈɪdsʌmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/midsummer
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the middle of summer

noun · CEFR B2

the time in the middle of the summer season.

For teachers: the period of time occurring in the middle of the summer season, typically characterized by peak temperatures.

- In the heat of midsummer, the city streets were almost empty.
- The drought reached its peak during midsummer, leaving the local farmers concerned about the survival of their late-season crops.

### 2. the summer solstice

noun · CEFR B2

the longest day of the year, usually around June 21st in the north.

For teachers: the period around the summer solstice, representing the point when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky.

- Many people travel to Stonehenge to watch the sun rise on midsummer.
- Astronomers noted that midsummer occurred slightly earlier this year due to the specific alignment of the Earth's orbit.

### 3. the holiday or festival

noun · CEFR B2

a traditional festival or holiday celebrated in late June.

For teachers: a traditional seasonal festival, often involving bonfires or outdoor celebrations, held to mark the solstice.

- We spent midsummer in Sweden, dancing around a traditional pole.
- The village maintains its ancient midsummer traditions, including the lighting of a massive bonfire on the hillside at dusk.

### 4. occurring in the middle of summer

adjective · CEFR B2

happening during the middle part of the summer.

For teachers: pertaining to or occurring during the middle of the summer season.

- A midsummer storm brought some much-needed rain to the garden.
- The play was performed in an open-air theatre, capturing the essence of a warm midsummer night.

## Examples

- The village holds a large bonfire every midsummer.
- During midsummer in the Arctic Circle, the sun never fully sets below the horizon.
- The play captures the dreamlike atmosphere of a midsummer night, where the boundaries between the human world and the supernatural realm seem to blur under the pale moonlight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.