substandard

[ suhb-stan-derd ]

adjective

1. below standard or less than adequate:

   substandard housing conditions.

2. noting or pertaining to a dialect or variety of a language or a feature of usage that is often considered by others to mark its user as uneducated; nonstandard.
3. Insurance.
   1. not measuring up to an insurer's regular standards in undertaking risks:

      a substandard risk.

   2. pertaining to insurance written to cover substandard risks.

substandard

/ sʌbˈstændəd /

adjective

1. below an established or required standard
2. another word for nonstandard

Word History and Origins

Origin of substandard¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + standard

Example Sentences

"Demand is growing, but a smaller coffee shop owners tend to cut corners, whether it’s by opting for substandard machines, serving weaker coffee shots, or hiring inexperienced baristas," Mr Singhal says.

From BBC

The groups called on ministers to axe inheritance tax, stop substandard imports and scrap carbon tax on fertiliser alongside other measures.

From BBC

The mud slinging has also included allegations that some traders have been buying up substandard fuel from Russia which is then blended with other products before being shipped into Nigeria.

From BBC

She said "significant errors" made by the hospital and the fact these were undetected for such a long period of time were are "evidence of substandard care and systemic failure".

From BBC

As early as the 1930s, county, state and federal officials were raising concerns about substandard living conditions in Section 14, the study found.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheap
• inadequate
• lousy
• shoddy