/ maɪld; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective ( mild·er , mild·est )
1.
not severe or strong :
a mild form of the disease
a mild punishment / criticism
It's safe to take a mild sedative.
Use a soap that is mild on the skin.
2.
( of weather ) not very cold, and therefore pleasant :
the mildest winter since records began
a mild climate
—compare hard
3.
( of feelings ) not great or extreme
SYN slight :
mild irritation / amusement / disapproval
She looked at him in mild surprise.
4.
( of people or their behaviour ) gentle and kind; not usually getting angry or violent
SYN equable :
a mild woman, who never shouted
5.
( of a flavour ) not strong, spicy or bitter :
a mild curry
mild cheese
OPP hot
► mild·ness noun [ U ]:
the mildness of a sunny spring day
her mildness of manner
■ noun
[ U ] ( BrE ) a type of dark beer with a mild flavour :
Two pints of mild, please.
—compare bitter
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English milde (originally in the sense gracious, not severe in command ), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German mild , from an Indo-European root shared by Latin mollis and Greek malthakos soft.