Amid vs. Amidst

Main Difference

Amidst" is just a slightly older (and chiefly British) variant of "amid." The meaning is the same for both. It's practically equal to among. Two meanings: “surrounded by”, “in the middle of” ,”in at atmosphere of”, “against a background of”. Often “amid” and “amidst” are confused with “among” or “amongst.” While these words are very similar in meaning and both have the same ending, there is a subtle difference to be noted. The difference is that “among” or “amongst” has the meaning of being intermixed with distinct or separate objects. The words are very similar and are used seemingly interchangeably by English speakers. While some English speakers seem to prefer one version of the word over the other, some use both.

Amid vs. Amidst — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Amid and Amidst

Amid vs. Amidst

The differences between amidst and amid (or between amongst and among) is stylistic.

Amid vs. Amidst

As compared to Amid, Amidst is considered, in American usage, to be slightly archaic and pretentious. American students are taught, when confronted with a choice between two words, to use the shorter, simpler word. Nonetheless, the longer word is sometimes the better choice in terms of style.

Amid vs. Amidst

The difference between amid and amidst actually exists in the preference and usage. This is simple because amid and amidst means exactly the same.

Amid vs. Amidst

The word amid is normally used in the sense of ‘in the middle of’ or ‘surrounded by’. So, is the word amidst.

Amid vs. Amidst

Amid and amidst are used as prepositions.

Amid vs. Amidst

British English uses both amid and amidst. American English prefers amid to amidst.

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Amid vs. Amidst

Both the words possess same meaning, its just the difference in the style being british or American.

Amid vs. Amidst

Mostly amid and amidst, Amidst in used mostly in the grammar as a replacement of Amongst.

Amidpreposition

surrounded by; in the middle of; in the center of.

Amidstpreposition

In the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among.

What is Amid?

The general definition of amid is “in the middle of; among”

What is Amidst?

The general definition of amidst is “in the middle of; surrounded by; among, in or throughout the course of; during.