midge

IPA/mɪdʒ/
KK[mˈɪdʒ]IPA/mɪdʒ/

midge — noun

  • midgesingular
  • midgesplural

1. A very small flying insect that gathers in large groups near water, and whose bi

1.nounB2
Definition

A very small flying insect that gathers in large groups near water, and whose bite leaves an itchy red mark on the skin.

Example

While camping in the Highlands, Fatima found her ankles covered in midge bites.

midge bites: painful outdoor encounter

A cloud of midges rose from the damp grass and chased the hikers down the trail.

cloud of midges: collective noun pattern

Common collocations
  • biting midge
  • midge bite
  • midge repellent
  • cloud of midges
Synonyms
  • gnat

    a loose everyday term for any small fly, biting or not; broader than midge

  • no-see-um

    informal American name for biting midges, emphasising how tiny they are

  • punkie

    regional North American term, less widely recognised

Grammar Patterns

a midge

midges

clouds of midges

swarms of midges

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2 (DANCING SWARM). Biting midges leave itchy welts on skin; the non-biting midges in sense 2 are harmless to people.

Common Mistakes

I was bitten by a mosquito at the lake.' (when it was actually a midge).
I was bitten by a midge at the lake.
midges are much smaller than mosquitoes and their bites feel like a sharp pinch rather than a slow needle-sting.

2. A tiny harmless fly that does not bite, often seen rising and falling in tall wi

2.nounB2
Definition

A tiny harmless fly that does not bite, often seen rising and falling in tall wispy columns above ponds and rivers at sunset.

Example

At dusk, a tall column of midges hovered and swayed above the riverbank.

column of midges: swarm pattern for non-biting midges

Thabo pointed at what looked like smoke rising from the lake — it was thousands of dancing midges.

Common collocations
  • dancing midges
  • midge hatch
  • non-biting midge
  • column of midges
Synonyms
  • lake fly

    common name for non-biting midges that gather near lakes

  • chironomid

    the scientific family name, used mainly in biology texts

Grammar Patterns

midges

a column of midges

a swarm of midges

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (BITING FLY). These midges lack biting mouthparts and are completely harmless to humans; they are mainly noticed when they form dancing swarms near water.

Word family

  • midget
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Midges are often confused with other small biting insects, but the differences matter. A mosquito is larger, has a long needle-like mouthpart, and makes a noticeable buzzing sound; its bite swells into a soft raised welt. A midge is far smaller — many are nearly invisible — and its bite feels like a sudden sharp pinch that turns into a flat red mark, often in clusters. Gnat is a looser, everyday word for any small fly, biting or not, so it covers midges but also many other insects. No-see-um is an informal American name that perfectly captures how hard biting midges are to spot. Blackflies are another small biter but are stouter, hump-backed, and tend to swarm around the face and neck rather than the ankles.

gnat ↗mosquito ↗no-see-umblackfly

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cloud of midges
  • swarm of midges

Phrases

  • the midges are out
  • the midges are bad tonight

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Midge comes from Old English mycg or mygge, meaning a small fly or gnat. The word shares an ancient Germanic root with mosquito (which entered English much later via Spanish, literally 'little fly'). The name has always pointed to the insect's tiny size — midges are among the smallest flies visible to the naked eye.