Mediocre: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：of average quality (mediocre)

mediocre 🔊

/ˌmiːdiˈəʊkə(r)/

adj.

It describes something that is just okay, not very good and not very bad, like a C grade in school.

Illustration of mediocre meaning: A student holding a report card with a 'C' grade, symbolizing average quality.

of average quality 🔊

➕

/əv ˈævərɪdʒ ˈkwɒləti/

adj.

This describes something that is neither good nor bad; it is just ordinary or acceptable, often implying it could be better.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'mediocris' (of middle height or quality), combining 'medius' (middle) and 'ocris' (rugged mountain).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'Medi' (like medium) + 'ocre' (sounds like 'okay'). Medium okay = just average.

📖 Example

The teacher praised her for her imaginative ideas but pointed out that the essay's structure was rather mediocre. 🔊 The teacher praised her for her imaginative ideas but pointed out that the essay's structure was rather of average quality.

🔗 Collocations

mediocre performance – A performance that is not particularly impressive.

mediocre results – Outcomes that are neither excellent nor poor.

mediocre talent – A level of ability that is unremarkable.

🔄 Synonyms

average (adj.) – Typical or ordinary, not special.

ordinary (adj.) – Not different or special; usual.

middling (adj.) – Of medium quality, size, or degree.

🚫 Antonyms

excellent (adj.) – Extremely good; outstanding.

outstanding (adj.) – Exceptionally good; standing out from others.

superb (adj.) – Of the highest quality; excellent.

🌱 Derivatives

mediocrity (n.) – The state of being mediocre; a person of moderate abilities.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via French from Latin 'mediocris', literally meaning 'halfway up the mountain'. This reflects its original sense of being middling or moderate, not reaching the heights of excellence.