midge

UK: /ˈmɪdʒ/ US: /mɪdʒ/ ,(mij)

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

midge /mɪdʒ/   n. [countable]

1. Insects a very small, two-winged insect resembling a mosquito.
2. a tiny person.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

midge  (mij), n. 

1. Insects any of numerous minute dipterous insects, esp. of the family Chironomidae, somewhat resembling a mosquito. Cf. gnat (def. 1).
2. a tiny person.

• bef. 900; Middle English mygge, Old English mycg(e); cognate with German Mücke, Old Norse mȳ; akin to Greek myîa, Latin musca fly

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

midge / mɪdʒ/ noun

1. any fragile mosquito-like dipterous insect of the family Chironomidae, occurring in dancing swarms, esp near water
2. a small or diminutive person or animal

Etymology: Old English mycge; compare Old High German mucca, Danish myg

ˈmidgy adjective