mediocre

[ mee-dee-oh-ker ]

adjective

1. of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate:

   The car gets only mediocre mileage, but it's fun to drive.

   Synonyms: run-of-the-mill, everyday, pedestrian, commonplace, undistinguished

   Antonyms: incomparable, uncommon, superior, extraordinary

2. not satisfactory; poor; inferior:

   Mediocre construction makes that building dangerous.

   Synonyms: so-so, second-rate, low-quality, meager

   Antonyms: superior, excellent

mediocre

/ ˈmiːdɪˌəʊkə; ˌmiːdɪˈəʊkə /

adjective

1. derogatory.
   average or ordinary in quality

   a mediocre book

Other Words From

• subme·di·ocre adjective
• super·medi·ocre adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediocre¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Latin mediocris “in a middle state,” literally, “at middle height,” equivalent to medi(us) “center, middle” + Old Latin ocris “rugged mountain,” cognate with Greek ókris, akin to ákros “apex”; compare Umbrian ocar “hill, citadel”; mid ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediocre¹

C16: via French from Latin mediocris moderate, literally: halfway up the mountain, from medius middle + ocris stony mountain

Example Sentences

How much more does USC have to spend to remain mediocre?

From Los Angeles Times

"Mediocre solutions which come at the expense of the Palestinians, or endless military support for Israel, is going to be nothing but a catalyst for future confrontations," said Sabri Saidam, a senior member of the PA's main faction, Fatah.

From BBC

Don Larsen was a mediocre pitcher at best, going 81-91 with a 3.78 earned-run average in 14 seasons, and he was so bad in his first World Series start in 1956 that he was pulled in the second inning after giving up four runs in a 13-8 Game 2 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

From Los Angeles Times

“One of the things that we have found is that good employees are good employees, whether they’re in the office or remote, and mediocre employers are mediocre, whether they’re chained to their desk or not.”

From Los Angeles Times

A sample text from a friend: “I should have eaten my money rather than this mediocre food.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decent
• dull
• inferior
• middling
• ordinary
• second-rate
• so-so
• undistinguished
• uninspired