mediocre
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From the late Middle English medioker, from the French médiocre, from the Middle French médiocre, from the Classical Latin mediocris (“in a middle state”, “of middle size”, “middling”, “moderate”, “ordinary”, from medius (“middle”) + ocris (“rugged mountain”)); compare mediocrely and mediocrity.
Pronunciation
Adjective
mediocre (comparative more mediocre, superlative most mediocre)
- Having no peculiar or outstanding features; not extraordinary, special, exceptional, or great; of medium quality, almost always with a negative connotation.[1]
- Synonyms: common, commonplace, ordinary
- Antonyms: great, distinguished, exceptional, outstanding, remarkable, peculiar, excellent
- I'm pretty good at tennis but only mediocre at racquetball.
- 1968, William Arthur Ward, Thoughts of a Christian Optimist[2], Droke House:
- The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
Related terms
Translations
having no peculiar or outstanding features
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Noun
mediocre (plural mediocres)
- A person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim; a common and undistinguished person.
- Antonym: great
- 1825, “Present State of Literature”, in The Gentleman's Magazine[3], volume XCV, second part, page 197:
- Of the hundreds of inferior poets, who are continually offering their sonnets and addresses to the Moon, (or to the public instead of that luminary,) Wade, Barton, Wiffen, and Bailey, are the most conspicuous. Wade is a new aspirant, but gives strong prognostications of genius. Barton and Bailey are above the mediocres, and Wiffen tolerable.
- 2014, Todd Whitaker, Dealing with Difficult Teachers, Third Edition, page 84:
- After this lecture, how do the mediocres feel? They probably feel indifferent or mad. Perhaps they were not even paying attention. The question is, are they more likely to be in the hallway tomorrow? Probably not.
- (historical) A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.
Translations
person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim
References
Further reading
- “mediocre”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “mediocre”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams
Catalan
Adjective
mediocre m or f (masculine and feminine plural mediocres)
Derived terms
Related terms
Further reading
- “mediocre” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
Italian
Pronunciation
Adjective
mediocre (plural mediocri)
Noun
mediocre m or f by sense (plural mediocri)
- mediocre person; mediocrity
Related terms
Anagrams
Latin
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /meˈdi.o.kre/, [mɛˈd̪iɔkrɛ]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /meˈdi.o.kre/, [meˈd̪iːokre]
Adjective
mediocre
Portuguese
Adjective
mediocre m or f (plural mediocres)
Spanish
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin mediocris.
Pronunciation
Adjective
mediocre m or f (masculine and feminine plural mediocres)
Related terms
Further reading
- “mediocre”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014