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

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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”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

midge

Scientists believe the disease probably spread to Scotland after infected midges were blown across the border from England but the risk of transmission is now falling as the midge season draws to a close.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 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

This virus is predominantly spread by midge bites rather than mosquitos, with the main type of midge involved in transmission not found in Europe or the UK.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2025

Kingshaw went on scratching at the midge bites.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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