ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mild

adj. · n.
US //ˈmaɪɫd// UK //mˈaɪld// mild
  1. 1 weather (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    pleasantly warm or not as cold as usual.

    of weather: moderately warm, especially in a way that is unexpected or pleasant during a cold season.

    Example

    It has been a very mild winter so far, with almost no snow.

    Example

    The region enjoys a mild maritime climate, which allows certain Mediterranean plants to thrive despite the northern latitude.

    Usage

    Usually describes weather or climate conditions.
  2. 2 food flavor (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    not strong, spicy, or bitter in taste.

    lacking a strong, sharp, or pungent flavour; specifically used for food that is not spicy.

    Example

    I prefer a mild curry because I cannot eat very spicy food.

    Example

    The chef recommended a mild cheddar for the sauce to ensure the delicate flavour of the white wine was not overwhelmed.
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  1. 3 not severe (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not serious, dangerous, or extreme.

    of low intensity or moderate severity; not causing significant distress or damage.

    Example

    He had a mild case of the flu and felt better after two days.

    Example

    The patient reported only mild discomfort during the procedure, which the surgeon attributed to the effective local anaesthetic.
  2. 4 gentle personality (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    gentle and calm; not easily made angry.

    possessing a gentle or temperate disposition; not prone to outbursts or harshness.

    Example

    She has a mild personality and always speaks softly to everyone.

    Example

    Despite the chaotic nature of the office, he maintained a mild manner that helped de-escalate many potential conflicts.
  3. 5 type of beer (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English

    a type of dark British beer that does not have a strong bitter taste.

    a variety of low-gravity ale, typically dark in colour and characterized by a low level of hop bitterness.

    Example

    He ordered a pint of mild at the local pub.

    Example

    While bitters and lagers dominate the modern market, traditional mild remains a favourite among enthusiasts of heritage British brewing.

    Teacher's tip

    This noun sense is very specific to British pub culture and is becoming less common among younger speakers.
Origin

From Middle English milde, from Old English milde (“mild”), from Proto-Germanic mildijaz (“mild”), from Proto-Indo-European melh₂- (“to beat, pound, grind”). Cognate with Scots mild, myld (“mild”), Saterland Frisian milde (“mild”), West Frisian myld (“mild”), Dutch mild (“mild”), Low German milde (“mild”), German mild (“mild”), Danish, Swedish and Norwegian Bokmål mild (“mild”), Icelandic mildur (“mild”), Latin mollis (“soft, gentle”), Lithuanian malonus (“pleasing, pleasant, kind”), Old Norse mildr.

Word family

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