From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmildmild1 /maɪld/ ●●○ adjective (comparative milder, superlative mildest) 1 weatherDN fairly warm OPP cold We had an exceptionally mild winter last year. a mild climate2 illnessMI a mild illness or health problem is not serious He suffered a mild heart attack. Sometimes the symptoms can be quite mild. a mild case of food poisoning a mild form of diabetes3 feelings a mild feeling is not very strong Both men looked at her in mild surprise. a feeling of mild irritation4 food/tasteHOT TASTE not very strong or hot-tasting a mild curry a cheese with a pleasant mild flavour► see thesaurus at taste5 criticism a mild criticism does not criticize strongly 6 problems/situationsSERIOUS SITUATION# not serious enough to cause much suffering The recession in Germany has been comparatively mild. a mild setback7 peopleKIND a mild person has a gentle character and does not easily get angry a mild, well-mannered man His voice was soft and mild.8 drugs/chemicals a mild drug or chemical does not have a very strong effect a mild painkiller a mild herbicide9 soap etcWEAK soft and gentle to your skin a mild shampoo10 language mild words or language are not very rude or offensive I heard him mutter a mild swear word. → mildly —mildness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
mild• Many drug dealers are prepared to take the risk because they know that if they are caught the punishment will be mild.• She had a mild case that left her right calf weak.• a mild cigar• It's a smooth, mild coffee, excellent for finishing off a meal.• The doctor thinks Geri has a mild concussion.• Her proposals were welcomed by most people, with only mild criticism from a few of her opponents.• Use water and a mild detergent to scrub the mud off.• a mild earthquake• a mild English cheese• It seems quite mild for February.• Others are preceded by mild head injuries or nonspecific infections.• Joe was a mild man who rarely raised his voice.• This particular winter the temperature was considered by the Zanskaris to be mild, never dropping below -20°C in the gorge.• Lentils have a mild nutty flavor.• a mild rebuke• These patients typically have mild renal insufficiency and diminished urate excretion due to renal tubular damage.• a mild salsa• Thus mild steel structures, for instance, can generally put up with cracks at least a metre long without breaking.• "Damn" is now only a mild swear word.• Sunny skies and mild temperatures are predicted.• Polly wondered how she'd failed to notice it before, but then he'd always been so mild to her face.• Let her eat lunch and then give her a mild tranquilliser.• We were lucky, it was the mildest winter in years.• We had a pretty mild winter last year.• Some plants will survive outside during a mild winter.mild form• Compared with the social services we have been examining, the residue present the institutional problem only in a comparatively mild form.• This is a familiar Republican message that Dole echoes in milder form and that resonates with many voters.• One was the detestation by the liberally oriented of religious paternalism, a mild form of anti-clericalism.• Alternate mild forms of discipline, such as a frown or a mild reprimand, with timeouts.• The jet lag induces a mild form of hallucination.• Herrera, personally, took no part in this mild form of political persecution.• Most people who contract haemorrhagic dengue have previously been infected with the milder form of the disease.mild flavour• I keep one pressed goats' milk cheese, Burndell, which has a creamy texture and a mild flavour.mildmild2 noun [uncountable] British EnglishSTRONG TASTE OR SMELL# dark beer with a slightly sweet taste → bitterOrigin mild Old English milde 