mediocre

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mediocre' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is not particularly good or bad, but merely average or satisfactory. Example sentence: Even after months of practice, my golf score was still mediocre.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nigeria has suffered from mediocre leadership for as long as I can remember.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cook will not be going to the Caribbean and has two months to sift the debris of a disastrous tour and work also on his batting after a mediocre return in both formats.

The Guardian - Sport

I and my female friends and colleagues working on Capitol Hill in the 1980s and 90s used to dream about a time when there would be just as many mediocre women in Congress as there are mediocre men.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the late 1930s, he achieved great success churning out a series of mediocre if charming crime films, as the inscrutable Japanese detective, Mr Moto.

The Guardian - Film

Last weekend one detected signs of panic in the ranks: much concern about so-called "secular stagnation" and "the new mediocre" with regard to the sluggish world economy.

The Guardian

In the end, even as an alternative, the election of a government requires more than some mediocre blokeish quips.

The Guardian

Even Matt Prior, who had a mediocre series with the bat by his standards, still shepherded his side out of trouble when it was needed at Old Trafford and The Oval.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, nationalist and authoritarian regimes have been in power for most of the past quarter-century, pursuing state-capitalist growth models that ensure only mediocre economic performance.

The Guardian - Business

When not being brilliant in Oscar-nominated fare, Julianne Moore occasionally likes to be mediocre in a jaw-droppingly bad genre film.

The Guardian - Film

Richard Linklater's marvellous Boyhood has six nominations, but that is fewer than the decent but middling film The Imitation Game, about wartime codebreaker Alan Turing — and only as many as Clint Eastwood's fantastically dull and mediocre American Sniper, which has been hugely overrated.

The Guardian - Film

The Dash would be terrific as a picture frame, if it weren't so mediocre as a picture frame.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mediocre" to provide a balanced assessment, avoiding overly harsh or glowing language. It's effective when needing to convey that something is neither excellent nor terrible, but simply average.

Common error

Avoid using "mediocre" when describing severe failures or critical situations. While it denotes 'average,' it can downplay the gravity of serious issues. Opt for stronger terms like 'inadequate' or 'poor' in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mediocre" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing their quality or character as being average or not particularly good. Ludwig AI indicates that "mediocre" is commonly used to assess performance, quality, or ability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Film

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mediocre" functions as an adjective denoting something of average or unremarkable quality. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage and wide applicability across various contexts. While the term carries a slightly negative connotation, it's essential to use it judiciously, especially when assessing individuals. More suitable alternatives to "mediocre" include "average", "ordinary", or "run of the mill". Remember that while "mediocre" is acceptable, it's vital to choose the most appropriate word to convey your meaning accurately and sensitively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

average

Simply indicates that something is at a typical or standard level, without implying negativity.

ordinary

Suggests a lack of distinction or special qualities, focusing on its normalcy.

unremarkable

Focuses on the lack of notable qualities or features.

run-of-the-mill

Indicates something is ordinary and not special, emphasizing its commonness.

unspectacular

Highlights the lack of excitement or impressiveness.

commonplace

Emphasizes the frequency and lack of uniqueness of something.

subpar

Indicates that something is below the expected or required standard.

lackluster

Emphasizes the lack of vibrancy or excitement.

second-rate

Implies something is of poor quality and not as good as others of its kind.

indifferent

Suggests a lack of interest or enthusiasm, implying a neutral or bland quality.

FAQs

How can I use "mediocre" in a sentence?

You can use "mediocre" to describe something of average quality, like: "The restaurant's food was good, but the service was "mediocre"."

What's a good alternative to "mediocre"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "average", "ordinary", or "run of the mill".

Is it okay to describe a person as "mediocre"?

While grammatically correct, calling someone "mediocre" can be considered offensive. It's generally better to offer constructive feedback instead.

What's the difference between "mediocre" and "inferior"?

"Mediocre" means average or of moderate quality, while "inferior" means lower in rank, status, or quality. Something inferior is worse than average, whereas something mediocre is simply average.