midge

American  

[mij] / mɪdʒ /

noun

1. any of numerous minute dipterous insects, especially of the family Chironomidae, somewhat resembling a mosquito.

2. Chiefly British. a little person.

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midge British  

/ mɪdʒ /

noun

1. any fragile mosquito-like dipterous insect of the family Chironomidae, occurring in dancing swarms, esp near water

2. any similar or related insect, such as the biting midge and gall midge

3. a small or diminutive person or animal

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• midgy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of midge

First recorded before 900; Middle English mygge, Old English mycg; cognate with German Mücke, Old Norse mȳ; akin to Greek myîa, Latin musca “fly”

Example Sentences

Because the midge has no known land based predators, plastic it consumes is unlikely to move far up the food chain.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

The species at the center of the study, Belgica antarctica, is a nonbiting midge, which is a small fly about the size of a grain of rice.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

As for Arthur, the eye midge grants him a second life of sorts, popping itself into his dead skull and jerking him from prone into a seated position.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2025

In urban settings, the pinhead-size midge Culicoides paraensis transmits the disease between humans.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 4, 2024

She was deeply troubled, and there was no need to explain: every strand of moss, every icy puddle, every midge in her homeland thrilled against her nerves and called her back.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman