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mediocre

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌmidiˈoʊkɝ// UK //mˌiːdɪˈəʊkɐ// medi·ocre Archaic

adj. not very good, but not terrible either. You use this to describe something that is just average when you expected it to be better.

adj. of only moderate quality; not very good. Often carries a negative connotation of being uninspired or failing to meet a higher standard.


SIMPLE

The movie was mediocre and not worth the ticket price.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the high prices at the new restaurant, the food was mediocre and the service was slow.

COMPLEX

The critic argued that the artist's later works were merely mediocre imitations of the bold, innovative style that had originally made her famous.

Synonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.

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