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mediocre

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: médiocre and medíocre

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

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌmiːdɪˈəʊkə/, /ˈmiːdɪˌəʊkə/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌmidiˈoʊkəɹ/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

mediocre (comparative more mediocre, superlative most mediocre)

  1. Not excellent or outstanding, usually disappointingly so. [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[1], Droke House:
      The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

Translations

Noun

mediocre (plural mediocres)

  1. 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[2], 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.
  2. (historical) A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.

Translations

References

  1. ^ “mediocre - Common Errors in English Usage and More - Washington State University”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), 2020 April 20 (last accessed)

Further reading

Anagrams

Catalan

Adjective

mediocre m or f (masculine and feminine plural mediocres)

  1. mediocre

Derived terms

Further reading

Italian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /meˈdjɔ.kre/
  • Rhymes: -ɔkre
  • Hyphenation: me‧diò‧cre

Adjective

mediocre (plural mediocri)

  1. mediocre, ordinary, middling
    Synonyms: comune, ordinario
  2. second-rate, poor, shoddy
    Synonyms: scadente, scarso

Noun

mediocre m or f by sense (plural mediocri)

  1. mediocre person; mediocrity

Anagrams

Latin

Pronunciation

Adjective

mediocre

  1. nominative/accusative neuter singular of mediocris

Portuguese

Adjective

mediocre m or f (plural mediocres)

  1. Pre-reform spelling (used until 1943 in Brazil and 1911 in Portugal) of medíocre.

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin mediocris.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /meˈdjokɾe/ [meˈð̞jo.kɾe]
  • Rhymes: -okɾe
  • Syllabification: me‧dio‧cre

Adjective

mediocre m or f (masculine and feminine plural mediocres)

  1. mediocre
    Synonyms: cutre, normalito, poca cosa, regular

Further reading

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