Pronunciation: [mɪdˈaftənˈuːn] (IPA) 
Midafternoon is a compound word made up of "mid" and "afternoon". The IPA phonetic transcription for midafternoon is /mɪd.æf.tər.nun/. The "mid" sound is represented by the "i" and "d" letters, while the "afternoon" sound is represented by the "a", "f", "t", "e", "r", and "n" letters. The stress is on the first syllable, indicated by the apostrophe before "a". Midafternoon refers to the time of day between noon and evening.
Midafternoon is a specific time of day that falls approximately halfway between noon and evening, typically occurring between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. It is a term used to denote the period of time during the day that is closer to the afternoon than the midday or morning hours.
The word "midafternoon" combines the prefix "mid-" which means "middle" or "equally distant from both extremes" with the word "afternoon" which refers to the part of the day following noon and extending towards the evening. Together, these words create a term that represents the timeframe situated between the earliest hours of the afternoon and the late afternoon.
Midafternoon generally refers to a time when the day is well underway and the sun has already passed its highest point in the sky but still has a considerable amount of daylight left before dusk. It is often associated with activities such as having a midday meal, taking a break from work, or engaging in leisurely pursuits.
The exact timing of midafternoon can vary depending on cultural, regional, and individual preferences, but it is commonly acknowledged to be the period after lunchtime and before late afternoon or early evening. It serves as a convenient and commonly recognized time reference in daily life, allowing for clearer communication and scheduling arrangements.
The word "midafternoon" is composed of two components: "mid" and "afternoon".
The term "mid" is derived from the Old English word "midde", which means "middle" or "center". The Old English "midde" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "medjaz", meaning "middle" as well. This root ultimately stems from the Proto-Indo-European base "medhyo", also signifying "middle".
The word "afternoon" developed from the combination of "after" and "noon". "After" comes from the Old English "æfter", originating from the Proto-Germanic root "af-", meaning "behind" or "after". Meanwhile, "noon" is derived from the Old English word "nōn", which stemmed from the Latin "nona", indicating the ninth hour of daylight.
