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Mediocre
Of only average quality; not particularly good or bad; ordinary.
adjective💡
Imagine This
Imagine a restaurant menu where a dish is labeled 'Mediocre'—it's not awful, but it's unremarkable, leaving you unimpressed and shrugging for the next option.
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Sounds Like
MEED-ee-uh-kor
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Looks Like
Looks like the word 'medium' in both spelling and sense, hinting at middle quality.
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Remember This
Etymology traces to French menétre médiocre and Latin mediocris, meaning 'middling' or 'of middle quality' (medius = middle).
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Other Forms
mediocritynoun
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Connect With
average, ordinary, middling, fair, adequate
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Note
Use carefully when talking about performance or products; it can sound blunt if aimed at a person. For harsher critique, use 'unimpressive' or 'lacking in quality'; for gentler critique, 'adequate' or 'passable' may fit better.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The film received mediocre reviews, with critics calling it competently made but uninspired.
- Her presentation was mediocre at best, lacking clarity and energy.
Synonyms
averageordinarymiddlingpassablelackluster
Antonyms
outstandingexceptionalsuperb
Etymology
From French médiocre, from Latin mediocris meaning 'middling, average,' from medius 'middle'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: Middle quality. Mediocre literally signals being in the middle of the quality spectrum—neither excellent nor terrible.
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verbTo pay little or no attention to; to fail to care for or attend to.
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adjectiveRelating to or causing a radical, transformative change; introducing innovations that drastically alter a field or practice.
Pragmatic
adjectiveDealing with things in a practical, realistic way rather than theoretical considerations; focusing on workable solutions.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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