second-rate

[sek-uhnd-reyt]

adjective

1. of lesser or minor quality, importance, or the like.

   a second-rate poet.

2. inferior; mediocre.

   a second-rate performance.

   Synonyms: commonplace, pedestrian, undistinguished, inadequate, middling

second-rate

adjective

1. not of the highest quality; mediocre

2. second in importance, etc

Other Word Forms

• second-rateness noun
• secondrater noun
• second-rater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of second-rate¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

The government also said northern England had been stuck with "second-rate" transport links for too long, and that this was "leaving communities cut off and holding back growth".

From BBC

After a year on the sidelines as Red Bull's reserve, he won the Williams seat, partly on Russell's recommendation, but until this year he had been teamed only with second-rate drivers.

From BBC

I’m virtually certain Trump would tell us that he loves Europe — that is, he loves the idea of Europe as he thinks it used to be: picturesque, charming and distinctly second-rate.

From Salon

“Because those artists are asked to represent a democracy where back home they’re still second-rate citizens,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

He’d like to lay the blame on his second-rate company, but he can’t escape his own role in the ensuing fiasco.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crummy 
• inferior