noun
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the state or quality of being mediocre
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a mediocre person or thing
Etymology
Origin of mediocrity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English mediocrite, from Middle French mediocrite, from Latin mediocritāt-, stem of mediocritās “middle state, moderation”; equivalent to mediocre + -ity
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How does mediocrity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The noun mediocrity means the quality of being average or ordinary. You can't be great at everything — in some areas, we all fall into mediocrity. Mediocrity, pronounced "me-dee-AH-crih-tee," has Latin parts that together literally mean "halfway up the mountain." You can see how it still applies — in climbing the mountain — or ladder — of success, mediocrity is in the middle, neither leading the pack nor sprawling on ground, giving up. Such of person of this middle-level of success can also be called a mediocrity. That's a second definition of the word.
Vocabulary lists containing mediocrity
A Word's-Eye View of Presidential Candidates in 2016: Campaign Announcements
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The Fire Next Time
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Neil Simon (1927 - 2018) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mediocrity reigned for both schools, but worse than mediocrity is irrelevance, with the Dodgers, Rams, Chargers and Lakers et al.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2024
Mediocrity has become standard in part because the demand is high for fresh streaming content, and huge names are attention magnets.
From Salon • Jan. 13, 2024
Mediocrity isn’t an abstract performance standard, and it doesn’t mean that things are middle-of-the-road fine.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 2, 2023
"Mediocrity is always rewarded it seems over greatness. End of story. I'm done about it."
From Washington Post • Mar. 18, 2019
Fabulous for little Jack and Jill Mediocrity, but do they push the brightest and ablest?
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
