middle-of-the-road

[mid-l-uhv-thuh-rohd]

adjective

1. favoring, following, or characterized by an intermediate position between two extremes, especially in politics; moderate.

2. of, relating to, or describing a type of popular music that avoids extremes of style and is catchy and tuneful enough to have broad appeal. MOR

noun

1. Also called easy listening. popular music having comparatively conventional, melodic qualities and hence having broad commercial appeal. MOR

middle-of-the-road

adjective

1. not extreme, esp in political views; moderate

2. of, denoting, or relating to popular music having a wide general appeal

Other Word Forms

• middle-of-the-roader noun
• middle-of-the-roadism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle-of-the-road¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

“We have a large number of middle-of-the-road people who are out there looking for someone to sing their song,” Perlaky said.

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Broadcast news is a specific, middle-of-the-road animal whose viewers connect with the headline readers as opposed to the depth of the coverage itself.

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You could buy a humdrum, middle-of-the-road robe from various big-box retailers, but a statement robe signals that you are, in fact, the kind of person who wants to be noticed and appreciated for their taste.

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“We need to be that middle-of-the-road, trustworthy source. ... I think that’s our goal. The only way you can survive is not be an echo chamber of one side.”

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He pitched himself to voters as a moderate Republican, saying he bucked his party on abortion and immigration, instead sticking to middle-of-the-road policy proposals.

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Related Words

• balanced 
• compromising www.thesaurus.com