Amid vs Amidst
Amid and Amidst are two words that look very similar. Believe it or not, these words mean the same thing. Both mean to be in the middle of something or surrounded by something. Although these two words are interchangeable, the word amid is more commonly used. Many people think amid is used in American English, while amidst is used in British English, but that’s not true. It’s more a matter of preference (and it seems more people prefer amid).
Here is the definition and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Amid (preposition)
In the middle of something or surrounded by something.
Examples:
On the weekends, we love to hike in the forest amid the trees and wildlife.
On the weekends, we love to hike in the forest amidst the trees and wildlife.
In the examples above, the hikers are sounded by a physical environment: trees and wildlife.
Does amid sound more casual while amidst sounds more formal? That’s because amid is more commonly used. You might think amidst sounds more British, but that’s not the case. It’s a matter of preference.
Amidst (preposition)
Amid
Examples:
As an introvert, when I’m at a party, I need to find some quiet amidst the noise.
As an introvert, when I’m at a party, I need to find some quiet amid the noise.
In these examples, the introvert seeks to be surrounded by quiet, which is a quality and not a physical environment.
Main Points
- Amid and Amidst mean the same thing. They are interchangeable.
- Amid is more commonly used, but word choice is a matter of personal preference.