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

The effects are often fleeting, mild or present no symptoms.

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Sinner, the top seed, was a mild favorite heading into the final, as he is a known monster on hard courts, and the Open’s defending champ.

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Symptoms range from mild to serious, and many show no symptoms.

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Corporal punishment was the norm, most of the children said, but many excused the beatings as mild.

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If rate increases trigger a mild yen appreciation in contrast, that could help restore purchasing power.

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Related Words

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