amidst
Americanpreposition
Usage
What’s the difference between amidst and amid? Amidst and amid mean the same thing: in the middle of or during.This can apply to spaces (as in I found my keys amidst/amid all of my other stuff) or situations (as in It was hard to concentrate amidst/amid all the chaos).Amid is the older and original form of the word. The -st ending (which is the same one found in other words like whilst and against) does not change the meaning. The same thing applies to among and amongst (which can mean the same thing as amid and amidst).Contrary to popular misconceptions, amidst is not the British English version of amid. Although amidst and amid are completely interchangeable, amid is more commonly used.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between amidst and amid, including how amidst got that -st.
Etymology
Origin of amidst
1250–1300; Middle English amiddes; amid, -s 1; for -t against, amongst, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Nigerian government denies such claims, saying that members of all faiths have suffered amidst myriad conflicts which have engulfed rural parts of the country.
From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026
The fall in exports comes amidst a decline in both manufacturing orders and production as momentum slowed at the start of the year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
This all aligns with Citi’s view for 2026, he adds, which will contain periods of volatility amidst a still “very constructive backdrop…in terms of the price action for U.S. equities.”
From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026
Precious metals like gold and silver have rallied recently as investors seek a safe haven asset amidst geopolitical uncertainty across the world, although there are more factors that affect silver's price than other metals.
From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026
Sierra drifted somewhere in the middle of all those souls—a flash of living flesh amidst so much death.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
