Mediocre — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌmē-dē-ˈō-kər/ me·di·o·cre

Meaning & Definition of Mediocre

Mediocre (adjective)

  1. of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance, ordinary, so-so

Mediocre (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of average to below average quality

    "your grades are mediocre and barely acceptable"

    similar: common, fair, indifferent, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so
    related: acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest, presentable, respectable, minimal, unexceptional, fine, good, nice
    near: A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimal, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supreme, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

  2. of low quality

    "mediocre carvings in a pseudo-African style that are sold to tourists"

    similar: bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy (slang), cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, terrible, trashy, trumpery, wretched
    related: useless, valueless, worthless, indifferent, lackluster, second-class, brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch, kitschy, meretricious, ostentatious, showy, splashy, swank, tawdry, seedy, shabby, tacky, counterfeit, fake, phony, sham, supercheap, ultracheap
    opposite: excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch
    near: elegant, handsome, tasteful, handcrafted, polished, refined

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mediocre

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mediocre:

Slang: crappy
common, fair, indifferent, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so, bad, bargain-basement, bum, cheap, cheapjack, cheesy, coarse, cut-rate, el cheapo, execrable, gimcrack, inferior, junky, lousy, low-grade, low-rent, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, shoddy, sleazy, terrible, trashy, trumpery, wretched

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mediocre

Words with the opposite meaning of Mediocre:

excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch

Related Words for Mediocre

acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest, presentable, respectable, minimal, unexceptional, fine, good, nice, useless, valueless, worthless, lackluster, brummagem, flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, kitsch

Near Antonyms of Mediocre

A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimal, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superlative

Origin & Etymology of Mediocre

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin mediocris "of medium size, moderate, middling, commonplace," perhaps originally "halfway to the top," from medius "middle, central" + -ocris, adjective derivative from the base of Old Latin ocris "rugged mountain," going back to Indo-European *h2oḱ-r-i- "point, peak, edge" (whence also Umbrian ukar, ocar "citadel," Middle Irish ochair "edge, border," Welsh ochr, Greek ókris "top, point, corner"), derivative of *h2eḱ- "pointed" mid:1, edge:1

First known use: circa 1586

Frequently Asked Questions about Mediocre

What does "Mediocre" mean?

"Mediocre" means of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance, ordinary, so-so. As an adjective, it is defined as: of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance, ordinary, so-so. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mediocre"?

Other words for "Mediocre" include common, fair, indifferent, medium, middling, ordinary, passable and run-of-the-mill. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mediocre" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mediocre"?

There are 86 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mediocre". Common alternatives include common, fair, indifferent, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine and second-class.

What is the opposite of "Mediocre"?

Antonyms of "Mediocre" include excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior and top-notch. Near antonyms include A1, capital, choice and classic.

How do you use "Mediocre" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mediocre" in a sentence: "your grades are mediocre and barely acceptable"; "mediocre carvings in a pseudo-African style that are sold to tourists".

Is "Mediocre" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mediocre" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Mediocre"?

"Mediocre" is pronounced /ˌmē-dē-ˈō-kər/ and divided into syllables as me·di·o·cre.

What is the origin of the word "Mediocre"?

"Mediocre" comes from borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin mediocris "of medium size, moderate, middling, commonplace," perhaps originally "halfway to the top," from medius "middle, central" + -ocris, adjective derivative from the base of Old Latin ocris "rugged mountain," going back to Indo-European *h2oḱ-r-i- "point, peak, edge" (whence also Umbrian ukar, ocar "citadel," Middle Irish ochair "edge, border," Welsh ochr, Greek ókris "top, point, corner"), derivative of *h2eḱ- "pointed" mid:1, edge:1. First known use: circa 1586.