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 Word Forms

• submediocre adjective
• supermediocre 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

Well, it is starting to appear that we are on the way to another in a series of mediocre football seasons at my alma mater UCLA.

From Los Angeles Times

Jarmond was the one who refused to fire the Bruins’ previous coach, Chip Kelly, after several mediocre seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

After rewatching “The Office” a few years ago, Nuñez concluded that only a couple episodes are “mediocre,” which speaks of the show’s overall quality and enduring power.

From Los Angeles Times

These dangers are particularly obvious to academics and other intellectual elites: They include fascism, nativism, anti-intellectualism, persecution of unpopular minorities, exaltation of the mediocre, and romantic exaggeration of the wisdom and virtue of the masses.

From Salon

A few candidates reported mediocre fundraising numbers, but have personal wealth they can draw on.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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