substandard

American  

[suhb-stan-derd] / sʌbˈstæn dərd /

adjective

1. below standard or less than adequate.

   substandard housing conditions.

2. noting or pertaining to a dialect or variety of a language or a feature of usage that is often considered by others to mark its user as uneducated; nonstandard.

3. Insurance.

   1. not measuring up to an insurer's regular standards in undertaking risks.

      a substandard risk.

   2. pertaining to insurance written to cover substandard risks.

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substandard British  

/ sʌbˈstændəd /

adjective

1. below an established or required standard

2. another word for nonstandard

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Etymology

Origin of substandard

First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- + standard

Example Sentences

It is the first time a pitch in Australia has been deemed substandard since the ICC overhauled its system two years ago.

From BBC

Worn-out and substandard cables are the other likely culprit.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the Snicko controversy is unsatisfactory for a series of this magnitude, it pales in comparison to the substandard nature of England's performance.

From BBC

The controversy, which centers on public funds earmarked for flood-control infrastructure allegedly going toward substandard or nonexistent projects, is also pressuring portfolio flows and local assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I assure the public that we will chase to the end the accountability of any contractors using substandard scaffolding mesh," Linn was quoted as saying.

From BBC

Related Words

• cheap
• inadequate
• lousy
• shoddy