mild

[mahyld]

adjective

milder, mildest 

1. amiably gentle or temperate in feeling or behavior toward others.

   Synonyms: pleasant, soft
   Antonyms: forceful

2. characterized by or showing such gentleness, as manners or speech.

   a mild voice.

3. not cold, severe, or extreme, as air or weather.

   mild breezes.

   Synonyms: clement, moderate, temperate
   Antonyms: severe

4. not sharp, pungent, or strong.

   a mild flavor.

   Synonyms: bland

5. not acute or serious, as disease.

   a mild case of flu.

6. gentle or moderate in force or effect.

   mild penalties.

   Antonyms: harsh

7. soft; pleasant.

   mild sunshine.

8. moderate in intensity, degree, or character.

   mild regret.

9. British Dialect.,  comparatively soft and easily worked, as soil, wood, or stone.

10. Obsolete.,  kind or gracious.

noun

1. British.,  beer that has a blander taste than bitter.

mild

/ maɪld /

adjective

1. (of a taste, sensation, etc) not powerful or strong; bland

   a mild curry

2. gentle or temperate in character, climate, behaviour, etc

3. not extreme; moderate

   a mild rebuke

4. feeble; unassertive

noun

1. draught beer, of darker colour than bitter and flavoured with fewer hops

Other Word Forms

• mildness noun
• mildly adverb
• overmild adjective
• semimild adjective
• semimildness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mild¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English milde; cognate with German mild; akin to Greek malthakós “soft”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mild¹

Old English milde; compare Old Saxon mildi, Old Norse mildr

Synonym Study

See gentle.

Example Sentences

There was the mildest air of annoyance with the forecaster whose analyses are so critical to the Budget process.

From BBC

It’s possible I have a milder case than I might have had without the vaccine.

From Los Angeles Times

You can go fresh, which packs the sharpest punch but requires a little courage and a good grater, or prepared, which is milder and keeps nicely in the fridge.

From Salon

It is no surprise that the hottest areas will affect desert teams the Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, with Florida's Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers also offering scorching summers and mild winters.

From BBC

This summer has been “relatively mild” so far, said Lewis of the National Weather Service, with June and July quite a bit cooler than normal, then a few heat waves in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• balmy 
• benign 
• bland 
• breezy 
• calm 
• cool 
• delicate 
• mellow 
• moderate 
• peaceful 
• smooth 
• soft 
• sunny 
• tepid 
• warm 
• weak