Second-rate (adjective)

Meaning & Definition of Second-rate

of second or inferior quality or value, mediocre

Second-rate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

of average to below average quality

"a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better"

similar: common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, 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
of little or less value or merit

"a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions"

similar: inferior, mean, minor, second-class, secondary

related: junior, lesser, lower, low-level, petty, smaller, subordinate, under, average, common, fair, middling, ordinary, amiss, bad, defective, unsatisfactory, wrong, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, unacceptable, littler, slighter, jerkwater, low-rent, one-horse, small-time, two-bit

opposite: greater, higher, superior

near: major, more, primary, senior, choice, exceptional, first-class, first-rate, high-grade, premium, prime, select, selected, acceptable, adequate, sufficient
of low quality

"second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market"

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, mediocre, miserable, poor, rotten, rubbishy, schlock, 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 Second-rate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Second-rate:

Slang: crappy

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Second-rate

Words with the opposite meaning of Second-rate:

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

Related Words for Second-rate

acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest, presentable, respectable, minimal, unexceptional, fine, good, nice, junior, lesser, lower, low-level, petty, smaller, subordinate, under, average, amiss

Near Antonyms of Second-rate

Word Forms of Second-rate

Derived words: second-rateness (noun), second-rater (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Second-rate

First known use: 1669

Frequently Asked Questions about Second-rate

What does "Second-rate" mean?

"Second-rate" means of second or inferior quality or value, mediocre. As an adjective, it is defined as: of second or inferior quality or value, mediocre. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Second-rate"?

Other words for "Second-rate" include common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary and passable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Second-rate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Second-rate"?

There are 112 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Second-rate". Common alternatives include common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill and run-of-the-mine.

What is the opposite of "Second-rate"?

Antonyms of "Second-rate" include greater, higher, superior, excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate and good. Near antonyms include A1, capital, choice and classic.

How do you use "Second-rate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Second-rate" in a sentence: "a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better"; "a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions"; "second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market".

Is "Second-rate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Second-rate" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Second-rate"?

"Second-rate" is pronounced /ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt/ and divided into syllables as sec·ond-rate.

What is the origin of the word "Second-rate"?

First known use: 1669.