Definition

Noun: 1. A very small two-winged fly: A midge is a tiny flying insect that resembles a mosquito but does not have mouthparts capable of biting. They are often seen in large, swirling groups, particularly near bodies of water. 2. (Informal, often humorous) A small or insignificant person: This is a less common, figurative use to describe someone who is small in stature or perceived as unimportant.

Usage

• The singular form "midge" refers to one insect.
• The plural form is "midges."
• It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun (Insect):
  • We had to cut our picnic short because of the cloud of midges near the lake.
  • Unlike mosquitoes, midges are generally harmless as they do not bite.
  • The evening air was thick with dancing midges.
• Noun (Person - informal):
  • He affectionately called his younger sister a little midge.

Advanced Usage

• "Midge swarm": A large, dense group of midges.
  • The midge swarm was so dense it looked like smoke over the river.
• "Biting midge": This is a specific term for a related insect (often called "no-see-ums" or "punkies") that bite. It is considered a compound term, not a direct use of "midge" alone.

Variants and Related Words

• Midgy (adjective, informal): Describing a place or time when there are many midges.
  • It's a very midgy evening; you might want some repellent.
• Non-biting midge (compound noun): A more precise scientific term to distinguish them from biting varieties.

Synonyms

• Gnat: A general term for small, flying insects, often used interchangeably with "midge," though gnats can sometimes bite.
• No-see-um (North American): A colloquial term for very small, biting flies.
• Punkie (North American): Another regional term for a small biting fly.

Related Phrases and Idioms

(Note: "Midge" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verbs or idioms. Its use is primarily literal.)

Noun

1. minute two-winged mosquito-like fly lacking biting mouthparts; appear in dancing swarms especially near water