midlife crisis

American  

noun

midlife crises plural

1. a period of psychological stress occurring in middle age, thought to be triggered by a physical, occupational, or domestic event, as menopause, diminution of physical prowess, job loss, or departure of children from the home.

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midlife crisis British  

/ ˈmɪdˌlaɪf /

noun

1. a crisis that may be experienced in middle age involving frustration, panic, and feelings of pointlessness, sometimes resulting in radical and often ill-advised changes of lifestyle

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• midlife crises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of midlife crisis

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

midlife crisis

Here’s how it can shake its midlife crisis.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 6, 2026

"Some men when they have a midlife crisis buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail, but me - I want my very own castle," said Carr who is approaching 50.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026

“We say midlife crisis or whatever, but it’s a time of questioning, a time where you take stock of your life,” says showrunner Aseem Batra.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2026

American shale producers are in a midlife crisis: They know their best days of growth are behind them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 10, 2026

Suddenly Uncle Basil’s midlife crisis truck is a blessing rather than an embarrassment.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman