Mild — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈmī(-ə)ld/

Meaning & Definition of Mild

Mild (adjective)

  1. gentle in nature or behavior
  2. moderate in action or effect
  3. not sharp, spicy, or bitter

Mild (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low

    "the mild weather that makes springtime such a delight after a long harsh winter"

    similar: balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, moderate, soft, temperate
    related: clear, cloudless, fair, rainless, sunny, sunshiny, calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, tranquil, delightful, fine, pleasant
    opposite: harsh, inclement, intemperate, severe
    near: blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, rough, squally, stormy, windy, misty, rainy, showery, bleak, cloudy, dismal, foggy, gloomy, gray, hazy, overcast, sunless, bitter, dirty, foul, nasty, raw

  2. not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect

    "a quiet gentleman with a kindly soul and a mild disposition"

    similar: balmy, benign, bland, delicate, gentle, light, mellow, nonabrasive, soft, soothing, tender
    related: calm, pacific, peaceful, placid, quiet, serene, tranquil, clement, compassionate, easy, lenient, merciful, buffering, cushioning, emollient, softening, sleek, slick, smooth
    opposite: abrasive, caustic, coarse, hard, harsh, rough, scathing, stern, ungentle
    near: exquisite, fierce, intense, powerful, severe, forceful, forcible, savage, violent, roughened, rugged, strong, abrading, irritating, roughening, grim, gruff, rude, stiff, heavy-handed, oppressive, pitiless, tyrannical

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mild

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mild:

balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, moderate, soft, temperate, benign, bland, delicate, light, mellow, nonabrasive, soothing, tender

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mild

Words with the opposite meaning of Mild:

harsh, inclement, intemperate, severe, abrasive, caustic, coarse, hard, rough, scathing, stern, ungentle

Related Words for Mild

clear, cloudless, fair, rainless, sunny, sunshiny, calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, tranquil, delightful, fine, pleasant, pacific, quiet, serene, compassionate, easy, lenient, merciful, buffering, cushioning, emollient, softening, sleek, slick, smooth

Near Antonyms of Mild

blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, squally, stormy, windy, misty, rainy, showery, bleak, cloudy, dismal, foggy, gloomy, gray, hazy, overcast, sunless, bitter, dirty, foul, nasty, raw, exquisite, fierce, intense, powerful, forceful, forcible

Word Forms of Mild

Derived words: mildly (adverb), mildness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Mild

Middle English, from Old English milde; akin to Greek malthakos soft, Latin mollis melt

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Mild

Words & Phrases Containing Mild

mild steel

Frequently Asked Questions about Mild

What does "Mild" mean?

"Mild" means gentle in nature or behavior. As an adjective, it is defined as: gentle in nature or behavior. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mild"?

Other words for "Mild" include balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, moderate, soft and temperate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mild" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mild"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mild". Common alternatives include balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, moderate, soft, temperate, benign and bland.

What is the opposite of "Mild"?

Antonyms of "Mild" include harsh, inclement, intemperate, severe, abrasive, caustic, coarse and hard. Near antonyms include blustering, blustery, breezy and gusty.

How do you use "Mild" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mild" in a sentence: "the mild weather that makes springtime such a delight after a long harsh winter"; "a quiet gentleman with a kindly soul and a mild disposition".

Is "Mild" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mild" is an adjective.

Is "Mild" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Mild" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Mild"?

"Mild" is pronounced /ˈmī(-ə)ld/.