mild

American  

[mahyld] / maɪld /

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.

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noun

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

mild British  

/ 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

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noun

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

Related Words

See gentle.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of mild

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

Example Sentences

If temperatures look mild, consider bringing long sleeves for the evening because it does get cold.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

So elderly individuals with a mild amount of plaque may have less aggressive treatment than a younger person with the same level, says Blankstein.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The Kansas City and Richmond surveys similarly found mild upticks in employment.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Temperatures could start to recover slightly as the weekend approaches, though it is unlikely they will reach the mild levels seen at the start of the week or during the previous week's spring warmth.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Mama wore her black dress without her hat this time, and the breeze, mild for early December, ruffled her pressed hair.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Related Words

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