substandard

American  

[suhb-stan-derd] / sʌbˈstæn dərd /

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.

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substandard British  

/ sʌbˈstændəd /

adjective

1. below an established or required standard

2. another word for nonstandard

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Etymology

Origin of substandard

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + standard

Example Sentences

“I’m just trying to get me and my kids out of this town before it explodes,” growls Mary when Valerie presses her to punch up one of Al’s substandard scripts.

From Salon

Another said that some of her colleagues felt the need to "hard sell" private work and make NHS treatment look substandard.

From BBC

The England and Wales Cricket Board's review came after this winter's 4-1 Ashes defeat, a tour blighted by poor planning, substandard performances and off-field issues.

From BBC

McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes are to remain in their posts despite the 4-1 Test defeat in Australia, a tour blighted by poor planning, substandard performances and off-field issues.

From BBC

The label moved to Los Angeles, allegedly to be closer to the film industry but also to evade worker discontent with “substandard royalty rates.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cheap
• inadequate
• lousy
• shoddy