mediocrity

American  

[mee-dee-ok-ri-tee] / ˌmi diˈɒk rɪ ti /

noun

plural

mediocrities

1. the state or quality of being mediocre.

2. mediocre ability or accomplishment.

3. a mediocre person.

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mediocrity British  

/ ˌmɛd-, ˌmiːdɪˈɒkrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being mediocre

2. a mediocre person or thing

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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

Compare meaning

How does mediocrity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mediocracy vs. mediocrity

Example Sentences

But by the time Curt Cignetti arrived, the Crimson Hawks had slipped into mediocrity.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ceiling is too low to differentiate between excellence and mediocrity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Through a feedback loop involving both the preferences of algorithms and our own spending biases, we are pulled toward a sea of mediocrity and might miss some real gems that cost more.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Marx’s reckoning, we’ve lived with 25 years of mediocrity, with no end in sight.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s that AI will produce cheap, abundant mediocrity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• normality