so-so
or so so
[soh-soh, soh-soh]
- Also so·so. indifferent; neither very good nor very bad.
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- in an indifferent or passable manner; indifferently; tolerably.
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Origin of so-so
First recorded in 1520–30
Synonyms
See more synonyms for so-so on Thesaurus.com1. mediocre, fair, ordinary, average, passable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for so-so
Contemporary Examples
There is a pro-cable bias that seems to forgive so-so shows and so-so series and judges network series harshly.
‘The Good Wife’ Creators on the Premiere’s Big Cary Twist, Will’s Death, and MoreKevin Fallon
September 22, 2014
For the United States, our so-so results are neither depressing nor affirming.
Last year, like most sports fans, he did so-so in predicting the winners.
It's fair to call all of this exaggerated, but the core point is sound—2013 has been a so-so year for the president.
Worst Fifth Year Ever? Maybe. But the Economy Will be the Judge of ObamaJamelle Bouie
December 18, 2013
Ezra Klein reminds us that the job news that has the conservative press alleging conspiracy is … only so-so.
Historical Examples
My practice is mostly among the poor, or the people that are only so-so.
The Faith DoctorEdward Eggleston
If strangers come, So-so may bark, which he can do as well as a bigger dog.
Last WordsJuliana Horatia Ewing
"I'll catch him," said So-so, and he put up his tail, and started off.
Last WordsJuliana Horatia Ewing
"There are sixty seconds in every single minute, So-so," said she.
Last WordsJuliana Horatia Ewing
The Main is an easy stream to follow, and the scenery only so-so.
so-so
- (postpositive) neither good nor bad
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- in an average or indifferent manner
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for so-so
1520s as an adverb, "indifferently;" as an adjective, "mediocre, neither too good nor too bad," 1540s; from so.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper