ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mild

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈmaɪɫd// UK //mˈaɪld// mild General-service

adj. not strong, harsh, or extreme. You use this to describe weather that is not too cold, food that is not spicy, or a feeling that is not very painful.

adj. moderate in nature, degree, or effect; lacking intensity or severity. Often used to describe weather conditions, culinary spice levels, or medical symptoms.


SIMPLE

The curry has a mild flavor.

CONTEXTUAL

We enjoyed a mild winter this year with very little snow or freezing rain.

COMPLEX

The patient reported only mild discomfort following the procedure, suggesting that the local anesthetic was still partially effective during the initial recovery phase.

Synonyms
Antonyms
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.

Usage

Commonly used as a gradable adjective; can be modified by 'very' or 'quite'.

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