# subpar

/səbˈpɑɹ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/subpar
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

below average or not as good as it should be. You use it when something disappoints you or fails to meet the normal standard.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

poor, mediocre, inferior, bad, weak, disappointing, unsatisfactory

## Antonyms

excellent, outstanding, Superior, Good

## Usage notes

- Often follows a linking verb such as 'be' or precedes the noun it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.