mediocre
/'mi:dioukə/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Of only moderate quality; not very good: "mediocre" describes something that is neither very good nor very bad, but rather average or ordinary in quality.
- Lacking exceptional quality or ability: It indicates a deficiency in excellence, skill, or distinction.
Usage
The word "mediocre" is used to express a negative or unimpressive assessment. It is stronger than simply "average" and often implies disappointment or a failure to meet expected standards. It can describe the quality of objects, performances, results, or a person's abilities.
Examples
- Describing quality:
- Describing ability or performance:
Advanced Usage
- "to be mediocre at best": This phrase emphasizes that even the highest possible positive assessment is still only mediocre.
- "to rise above mediocrity": This means to become excellent or distinguished, moving beyond being average.
Variants and Related Words
- Mediocrity (noun): The state or quality of being mediocre.
- Mediocrely (adverb): In a mediocre manner. (Note: This form is rare and often replaced by phrases like "in a mediocre way".)
Synonyms
- Average: Of the usual or ordinary standard. (Less negative connotation than "mediocre").
- Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features.
- Unexceptional: Not out of the ordinary; usual.
- Run-of-the-mill: Ordinary and not special in any way.
- Second-rate: Of inferior quality.
Antonyms
- Excellent: Extremely good; outstanding.
- Superb: Of the highest quality; excellent.
- Exceptional: Unusually good; outstanding.
- Superior: Higher in quality.
Idioms and Phrases
- "The tyranny of the mediocre": A phrase (not a common idiom) sometimes used to criticize a situation where average standards suppress excellence or innovation.
Adjective
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poor to middling in quality
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there have been good and mediocre and bad artists
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lacking exceptional quality or ability
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a novel of average merit
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only a fair performance of the sonata
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in fair health
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the caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
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the performance was middling at best
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moderate to inferior in quality
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they improved the quality from mediocre to above average
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