Difference Between Amid & Amidst

Amid vs Amidst
 
The distinction between amid and amidst lies in their usage and preference. Both words have the same meaning and are used as prepositions, with the only difference being the extra -st at the end of amidst. Amid is more commonly used, particularly in American English, while amidst is more commonly found in British English.

What does Amid mean? What does Amidst mean?

Amid is used to mean ‘surrounded by’ or ‘in the middle of.’ For example, “The friends reached their home amid heavy rain.” Amidst can be used interchangeably with amid, as both words have the same meaning. For instance, “The minister reached the place amidst tight security.” However, amidst is more commonly used in literary texts and less so in everyday language. The Oxford English Dictionary even introduces amidst as a variant of amid.

In terms of usage, British English speakers use both amid and amidst without issue, while American English speakers prefer amid to amidst. This is because amidst, with its extra -st sound at the end, sounds more like a word from a Shakespearean drama.

Key Takeaways

• Amid and amidst have the same meaning, but amid is more commonly used.
• Both words are used as prepositions to mean ‘surrounded by’ or ‘in the middle of.’
• Amid is preferred in American English, while amidst is more common in British English and literary texts.