Word
subpar
Phoneticssub·par, stress on the second syllable
/səbˈpɑɹ/
Definition
adj. below average or not as good as it should be. You use it when something disappoints you or fails to meet the normal standard.
adj. falling below an expected or average standard of quality or performance. Often used to describe work, services, or results that fail to meet requirements.
Examples
“The hotel room is clean but the service is subpar.”
“The restaurant gets good reviews for its view, but customers say the food is subpar for the price.”
“Despite strong quarterly revenue, analysts called the company's cost control subpar and warned that weak margins could limit future growth.”
Examples
simple
“The hotel room is clean but the service is subpar.”
contextual
“The restaurant gets good reviews for its view, but customers say the food is subpar for the price.”
complex
“Despite strong quarterly revenue, analysts called the company's cost control subpar and warned that weak margins could limit future growth.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “subpar” in context.
Verb
01. apologize for subpar
“The hotel manager apologized for subpar room service last night.”
verb + prep + adj
02. consider subpar
“The coach considered their training facilities subpar for professionals.”
verb + adj
03. prove subpar
“The budget laptop proved subpar for video editing tasks.”
verb + adj
04. remain subpar
“Despite renovations, the school canteen food remains subpar.”
verb + adj
05. settle for subpar
“Don't settle for subpar when you deserve better customer care.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
06. clearly subpar
“His exam essay was clearly subpar and lacked any clear argument.”
adv + adj
07. consistently subpar
“The streaming quality was consistently subpar throughout the match.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. subpar performance
“The singer gave a subpar performance due to a throat infection.”
adj + noun
09. apologize for subpar quality
“The brand publicly apologized for subpar quality in its latest batch.”
10. deliver a subpar performance
“The defending champions delivered a subpar performance in the final.”
11. receive subpar customer service
“Many travellers complained they received subpar customer service.”
12. refuse to settle for subpar
“Good schools refuse to settle for subpar teaching standards.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb such as 'be' or precedes the noun it modifies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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