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

• 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

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

Debating whether the eye midge is more dangerous than one of the greatest monsters in film, then, is less provocative than considering the newer adversary’s motivations.

From Salon • Sep. 18, 2025

Other small fossils new to science have also been found at Otago sites this year, including the first dancefly, cranefly, phantom midge and marsh beetle fossils from New Zealand.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2024

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