second-rate

[ sek-uhnd-reyt ]

adjective

1. of lesser or minor quality, importance, or the like:

   a second-rate poet.

2. inferior; mediocre:

   a second-rate performance.

   Synonyms: commonplace, pedestrian, undistinguished, inadequate, middling

second-rate

adjective

1. not of the highest quality; mediocre
2. second in importance, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈsecond-ˈrater, noun

Other Words From

• second-rateness noun
• second·rater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of second-rate¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

That ship almost certainly has sailed for the season following USC’s nightmare October, leaving the Trojans with few postseason options beyond a second-rate bowl game.

From Los Angeles Times

Once upon a time, rosé wine was regarded as second-rate, and not even worthy of the interest of oenologists.

From Salon

After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano.

From Los Angeles Times

He had been a top-tier starter and he had been a second-rate reliever and he had been everything in between.

From Los Angeles Times

Then add a deeply disappointing season for UCLA, one of the Pac-12’s two marquee programs, and you have a second-rate product.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• crummy
• inferior