What is midday? Pronunciation and usage in English

midday means . Learn how to pronounce and use midday through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of midday

middaynoun

/ˌmɪdˈdeɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of midday

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "midday" in English. Here's a breakdown and some tips:

Standard Pronunciation (American & British):

  • mi - like the first syllable in "meet"
  • day - rhymes with "say"

So, it's pronounced: /maɪˈdeɪ/ (approximate phonetic spelling)

Let’s break it down further:

  • “mi”: This is a diphthong – a gliding sound. It starts like the “i” in “bit” and moves smoothly toward the “ay” sound.
  • “day”: This is pronounced as you'd expect – like the word “day.”

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable: “day.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation that you find tricky?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "midday"?

Usage and examples with the word midday in English

Let's break down how to use the word "midday." It refers to the middle of the day, specifically the time roughly between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Here's a detailed guide with examples:

1. Basic Meaning:

  • Midday simply means the middle of the day. It's the period between roughly 12 noon and 2 pm.

2. Ways to Use It:

  • As a Time:

    • "We’re having lunch at midday." (Meaning: around 12:30 PM)
    • "The sun was high in the sky at midday."
    • "I usually take a nap at midday."

  • Describing Conditions:

    • "It was a hot, sticky midday." (Describing the weather)
    • "Midday brought a welcome breeze."
    • "The market was bustling at midday." (Describing activity)

  • Figuratively – as a Descriptor of Something Average or Unremarkable: (This is a slightly more nuanced use)

    • "The film wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either – it was just… mid-day.” (Meaning: average or unremarkable)
    • "His performance was middling – just mid-day." (Meaning: mediocre)
    • Important Note: Using "midday" to describe something as simply “mid” is becoming increasingly common, particularly online, but it's still a relatively informal usage.

3. Sentence Examples:

  • "We packed a picnic and headed to the park for midday relaxation.”
  • “The tourist attraction was less crowded at midday than in the morning.”
  • "Don’t forget to drink plenty of water on a hot midday.”
  • "The midday sun made it difficult to see the road."
  • "He decided to postpone his meeting until midday, when he'd have more energy."

4. Related Words & Phrases:

  • Midday meal: Lunch
  • Midday sun: The sun at the middle of the day.
  • Midday rush: The busy period around lunchtime.

5. Tips for Usage:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "midday" is almost always clear from the context.
  • Formal vs. Informal: It's a generally acceptable word in both formal and informal writing. However, using it figuratively ("it’s just mid-day") is more common in online speech and writing than in formal prose.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more specific examples of how to use it in a particular situation?
  • Explain the figurative use of “midday” in more detail?

Synonyms for the word midday

Practice with vocabulary midday

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The construction crew usually breaks for a well-deserved meal around _____, resuming their work an hour later.
  2. During the summer months, the park's fountains are often most crowded at _____, when the sun is at its peak.
  3. The board meeting is officially scheduled to commence at precisely _____, so all participants are requested to be seated by 11:55 AM.
  4. We have allocated the late _____ for reviewing the project's financial projections, typically starting around 3:00 PM.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The university library closes its main study hall for a brief period for cleaning and maintenance _____. A) at sunrise B) at midday C) at midnight D) at dusk

  2. Many international companies manage their global teams by scheduling core work hours that overlap across different time zones, often utilizing the _____ period for collaborative meetings. A) midday B) evening C) lunchtime D) midnight

  3. Temperatures in the arid regions can reach their most extreme _____, necessitating precautions for outdoor activities. A) in the early morning B) during the middle of the day C) in the late evening D) at midday

  4. The new factory's production targets are evaluated on a ______ basis, with reports submitted to management every morning. A) weekly B) annual C) daily D) monthly

  5. The deadline for submitting the final proposal is set for 4:00 PM on Friday. Therefore, all documents must be delivered by ______ that day. A) morning B) late afternoon C) close of business D) dawn

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence to include "midday": We have scheduled a brief meeting for approximately twelve o'clock to discuss the project's next steps.

  2. Rewrite the sentence to include "midday" or a related word form: The sun's intensity is at its highest point when it's directly overhead, making it feel hottest during the middle of the day.

  3. Rewrite the sentence without using "midday", but using a suitable replacement word: Our flight is scheduled to depart very early, at five AM.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. midday
  2. midday
  3. noon
  4. afternoon

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) at midday
  2. A) midday, C) lunchtime
  3. B) during the middle of the day, D) at midday
  4. C) daily
  5. B) late afternoon, C) close of business

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We have scheduled a brief meeting for midday to discuss the project's next steps.
  2. The sun's intensity is at its highest point at midday, making it feel hottest then.
  3. Our flight is scheduled to depart at dawn.

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