middle-of-the-road

UK: /ˌmɪd^ələvðəˈrəʊd/ US: (mid′l əv ᵺə rōd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈmid•dle-of-the-ˈroad,  adj. 

1. favoring an intermediate position between two extremes, esp. in politics:
   The candidate's middle-of-the-road position was favored by most voters.

mid•dle-of-the-road•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mid•dle-of-the-road  (mid′l əv ᵺə rōd′), adj. 

1. favoring, following, or characterized by an intermediate position between two extremes, esp. in politics;
   moderate.
2. Music, Music and Dance of, pertaining to, or describing a type of popular music that avoids extremes of style and is catchy and tuneful enough to have broad appeal.

n. 

3. Music, Music and Dance Also called easy listening. popular music having comparatively conventional, melodic qualities and hence having broad commercial appeal.

• 1890–95, American.

mid′dle-of-the-road′er, n. 
mid′dle-of-the-road′ism, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

middle-of-the-road adjective

1. not extreme, esp in political views; moderate
2. of, denoting, or relating to popular music having a wide general appeal