Mild
/maɪld/
adjectivenounA2
Definition
Mild describes something that is soft, gentle, or not very strong. It can be used for weather (not very cold or hot), food taste (not spicy or strong), or feelings (not very intense). It often means something is easy to handle or not harmful.
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See It in Action
Gentle or not strong in feeling, taste, or effect
- •The soup has a mild flavor, not spicy at all.
- •She has a mild personality and rarely gets angry.
- •The medicine has mild side effects.
Not severe or extreme, especially about weather or conditions
- •We had a mild winter with little snow.
- •The doctor said the illness was mild and would get better soon.
- •The storm was mild and caused no damage.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mild" like "nice" or "soft," but it means something is calm and not strong.
- ✓Picture a gentle breeze on a warm day, not cold wind or hot sun.
- ✓It's the feeling when you drink warm milk that is not hot or cold—comfortable and easy.
- ✓Sounds like "mild" → imagine a soft smile on a child's face, calm and peaceful.
- ✓Think of a mild winter where you don’t need a heavy coat.
- ✓NOT like "hot" (very strong or intense); mild is soft and easy.
- ✓NOT like "strong" (powerful or intense); mild is weak or gentle.
- ✓NOT like "severe" (very serious or harsh); mild is light and easy to bear.
Try Other Words
- •Gentle: soft, kind, or light (Use when describing people, actions, or touch)
- •Soft: not hard or strong (Use when talking about texture or sound)
- •Light: not heavy or strong (Use for taste, feelings, or weather when you want to say "not strong")
- •Moderate: average or medium level (Use when something is between strong and weak)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root word "mild" (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "mild" meaning gentle or meek
- •Historical development: Used since ancient English to describe gentle nature or soft weather
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for weather, taste, feelings, and situations that are not strong or harsh
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you experience mild weather compared to very hot or cold weather?
•Can a mild person be strong in other ways? How does mildness affect relationships?
Fill in the blanks
1.The soup was mild, so it did not ___ any spicy or strong flavors.
2.When the weather is mild, people usually ___ heavy coats and jackets.
3.A mild reaction to medicine means the side effects are not ___ or serious.
4.She has a mild voice that is ___ and easy to listen to.
5.Unlike a strong storm, a mild storm causes ___ damage.
6.People often prefer mild food because it is ___ on the stomach.
7.The teacher gave a mild warning, so the students did not feel ___ or scared.