Meaning & use
mediocre
Last updated
UK/ˌmiːdiˈəʊkə/
US/ˌmiːdiˈoʊkər/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.
Meaning
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Not good enough to be impressive; only average or somewhat disappointing in quality.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a mediocre meal; the meal was mediocre.
Patterns
- mediocre at something
The food was mediocre, so we will not go back.
He was a mediocre student until he found a subject he loved.
Critics gave the film mediocre reviews.
Word forms
| comparative | more mediocre |
|---|---|
| superlative | most mediocre |
Common combinations
- mediocre performance
- The team gave a mediocre performance in the final.
- rather mediocre
- The service was rather mediocre.
- mediocre results
- The experiment produced mediocre results.
- settle for mediocre
- Do not settle for mediocre work.
Synonyms and how they differ
- average
- Average is neutral and just means typical, while mediocre suggests disappointment.
- so-so
- So-so is informal and milder, a casual shrug rather than a criticism.
- second-rate
- Second-rate is harsher and says something is clearly inferior.
Opposites
Word family
- mediocrity noun
- the state of being mediocre, or a mediocre person
Commonly confused: mediocre or moderate?
mediocre vs moderate
Moderate is neutral and means medium in amount; mediocre implies quality below hopes.
Practice
The reviewer called the restaurant mediocre. What does she mean?
Choose one answer.
Mediocre means ordinary and not good enough to impress. It says nothing about price or crowds.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mediocre”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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