WordGarden.iomildly
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈaɪldli/
US
- /ˈmaɪldli/
Meanings
Adverb
to a slight or moderate degree
in a gentle or not harsh way
Beyond the definition
Imagine adding just a pinch of spice to your food, not enough to make it hot, but enough to notice. That's what "mildly" means. It describes something happening or being felt to a small degree. You might mildly disagree with someone, meaning you do not strongly oppose their view. Or perhaps a summer day feels mildly warm, pleasant but not too hot.
"Mildly" is not about extremes; it stays in the middle. It suggests that something is there, but not in a strong way. A character in a story might be mildly eccentric, meaning they have a few unusual habits but are not very strange. Think of it as a soft touch rather than a hard push.
"Mildly" is an adverb that shows something is happening, being felt, or being true to a small degree. It is like turning down the volume: the effect is there and noticeable, but it is not strong or extreme.
It is often used to soften statements and avoid exaggeration. For example, saying someone is "mildly annoyed" suggests they are not furious, just a little bothered. In the same way, a mildly challenging hike is not a very hard climb, but it still takes some effort.
The word often implies a comparison with something that could be much stronger. A mildly successful movie did not break box office records, but it did fairly well. A mildly offensive joke is not deeply shocking, but it may still make some people uncomfortable.
It can also describe physical sensations. "The soup was mildly spicy" means there was a little heat, but not enough to overpower the flavor. "She felt mildly sick" means she did not feel well, though not seriously so. "The room was mildly warm" suggests a bit of heat, but not discomfort.
So, when you want to show that something is present in a small, gentle, or limited way, "mildly" is a useful choice. It helps you express nuance and stay away from extremes.
Examples
- 1
Emotional reaction
I was mildly surprised when she remembered my birthday.
- 2
Food intensity
The sauce is only mildly spicy, so it won't be too strong for you.
- 3
Workplace tone
His manager sounded mildly disappointed with the result.
- 4
Calm concern
She seemed mildly concerned about the delay, but she stayed calm.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Social reaction
Some readers found the article mildly offensive.
- 6
Understatement
To put it mildly, the meeting was a disaster.
- Phraseto put it mildly
used when the real situation is even stronger than the words you choose
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- mildly surprised
- mildly amusing
- mildly irritating
- to put it mildly
Word family
Explore
- understatement
- degree adverbs
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- mildlyadverb