mild

[mahyld]

adjective

milder, mildest 

1. amiably gentle or temperate in feeling or behavior toward others.

   Synonyms: pleasant, soft
   Antonyms: forceful

2. characterized by or showing such gentleness, as manners or speech.

   a mild voice.

3. not cold, severe, or extreme, as air or weather.

   mild breezes.

   Synonyms: clement, moderate, temperate
   Antonyms: severe

4. not sharp, pungent, or strong.

   a mild flavor.

   Synonyms: bland

5. not acute or serious, as disease.

   a mild case of flu.

6. gentle or moderate in force or effect.

   mild penalties.

   Antonyms: harsh

7. soft; pleasant.

   mild sunshine.

8. moderate in intensity, degree, or character.

   mild regret.

9. British Dialect.,  comparatively soft and easily worked, as soil, wood, or stone.

10. Obsolete.,  kind or gracious.

noun

1. British.,  beer that has a blander taste than bitter.

mild

/ maɪld /

adjective

1. (of a taste, sensation, etc) not powerful or strong; bland

   a mild curry

2. gentle or temperate in character, climate, behaviour, etc

3. not extreme; moderate

   a mild rebuke

4. feeble; unassertive

noun

1. draught beer, of darker colour than bitter and flavoured with fewer hops

Other Word Forms

• mildly adverb
• mildness noun
• overmild adjective
• semimild adjective
• semimildness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mild¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English milde; cognate with German mild; akin to Greek malthakós “soft”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mild¹

Old English milde; compare Old Saxon mildi, Old Norse mildr

Synonym Study

See gentle.

Example Sentences

While most viruses are mild, some can be far more dangerous and meningitis is a serious infection to watch out for.

From BBC

It’s challenging, but if the rock was dry and the weather was mild, it was probably within his comfort zone.

From Los Angeles Times

While most people experience only mild symptoms resembling stomach flu, it can lead to severe illness such as meningitis or sepsis.

From BBC

Reinfections are usually mild, but you can feel unwell and still spread the virus to others.

From BBC

Joe Biden loyalists — many of whom were never great fans of Harris — have bristled at her relatively mild criticisms of the obviously aged and physically declining president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• balmy 
• benign 
• bland 
• breezy 
• calm 
• cool 
• delicate 
• mellow 
• moderate 
• peaceful 
• smooth 
• soft 
• sunny 
• tepid 
• warm 
• weak