mild

Mild is an English adjective used to describe something that is gentle in degree, intensity, or strength. It denotes a lack of harshness, severity, or extreme characteristics in various contexts, including weather, flavor, symptoms, and conditions. The word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch mild and German mild, and derives from Old English mild, with West Germanic origins.

In usage, mild commonly characterizes conditions that are not severe. Mild weather is temperate rather than extreme. Mild illness or symptoms are comparatively light and may not require aggressive treatment. Describing a product, approach, or environment as mild implies reduced risk of irritation, side effects, or harm, as in mild soap or a mild medical regimen.

Flavor and spice contexts use a more specific sense: something mild lacks strong heat or pungency. A curry, cheese, or chili described as mild is palatable to a broad audience and does not overwhelm the palate with spiciness.

In beverages, mild refers to a traditional English beer style known as mild ale. Historically common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, mild ales are characterized by a gentle hop profile, moderate alcohol content, and smooth malt sweetness; contemporary examples vary but generally emphasize a mild, approachable character.

Mildness also appears in clinical and diagnostic scales that classify severity, with mild indicating lower intensity than moderate or severe.