subpar

American

[suhb-pahr] / sʌbˈpɑr /

adjective

below an average, usual, or normal level, quality, or the like; below par.

This month his performance has been subpar.

Etymology

Origin of subpar

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- ( def. ) + par ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Anything that's subpar is worse than average. When a football team has a subpar season, it is a huge letdown for their biggest fans. Subpar things just aren't up to their usual standards. Your subpar attendance at school may mean extra homework, and the math team's subpar showing at the district competition might keep them out of the state finals this year. In golf, subpar means a golfer had to hit the ball more times than expected to get it in the hole. Subpar is from sub-, or "under" and par, or "average," from a Latin root meaning "equality."

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Vocabulary lists containing subpar

Chronically Dolores

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(S)Kin

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Lacking

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While the Transportation Department doesn’t explicitly state that passengers should be compensated for subpar flight experiences, travelers like Monique believe that requests for such compensation are warranted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The Occidental underperformance highlights Berkshire’s generally subpar U.S. stock picking—new buys and sells—over the past six or seven years.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

He fired a manager over the bad chili and other subpar food.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

It’s worth saying plainly that this is not an attempt to lure anyone toward subpar ingredients.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2026

Faraday never complained when the meals they made were subpar.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023