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Meaning & use

mild

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/maɪld/
US/maɪld/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Not strong, severe, or extreme; gentle in effect or degree.

    Grammar: Gradable: you can say 'very mild', 'milder', 'mildest'.

    Patterns

    • mild weather
    • a mild illness
    • mild criticism
    • mild soap

    The winter was mild, so we hardly used the heating.

    He had a mild headache and took an aspirin.

    She expressed mild surprise at the news.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Not strong in taste; not spicy or sharp.

    Grammar: Gradable: 'a mild curry' can be compared as 'milder'.

    Patterns

    • mild cheese
    • mild flavor
    • mild salsa

    This cheese is very mild and creamy.

    I prefer mild coffee in the morning.

    The sauce is mild, so the children can eat it.

  3. adjectivecomparable

    Gentle and calm in manner; not angry or forceful.

    Grammar: Gradable: 'a mild manner' can be 'a milder manner'.

    Patterns

    • a mild manner
    • mild voice
    • mild temper

    He spoke in a mild voice that calmed everyone.

    Her mild manner hides a strong will.

    The teacher was mild but firm.

Word forms

comparativemilder
superlativemildest

Common combinations

mild weather
Mild weather in December is unusual here.
a mild case of
She had a mild case of the flu.
mild criticism
The report offered mild criticism of the plan.
mild soap
Use mild soap for sensitive skin.
mild-mannered
He is a mild-mannered accountant.

Synonyms and how they differ

gentle
Gentle often describes a kind or careful manner; mild can also describe weather, taste, or illness.
moderate
Moderate means neither too much nor too little, often in amount; mild suggests something is weak or soft rather than average.
soft
Soft can mean not hard to touch or not loud; mild is more about lack of strength or severity.

Opposites

severeharshstrong

Word family

mildly adverb
In a mild way; slightly, as in 'mildly surprised'.
mildness noun
The quality of being mild.

Commonly confused: mild or wild?

mild vs wild

Wild means uncontrolled or living in nature; mild means gentle or not severe. They sound similar but are opposites in many contexts.

Practice

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