Pronunciations (5)
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/ˌmiːdɪˈəʊkə/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ˈmiːdɪˌəʊkə/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ˌmidiˈoʊkəɹ/
Pronunciation notes
- US
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ˌmiːdɪˈəʊkə
Pronunciation notes
- GB
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ˌmidiˈoʊkəɹ
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Not excellent or outstanding, usually disappointingly so.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I'm pretty good at tennis but only mediocre at racquetball.
The standard ranges from runs that are almost sensational in the speed and brilliance of the work to the ultra-mediocre.
More examples (2)
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
“Look at this festive assembly. All of us, gathered here together, chuckling at jokes and silliness.” [laughter] “And jackanapery.” [rim shots] “I guess there's only one thing left to say. What is this shit?” [rim shot] [laughter] “[laughs] Very good.” “You call yourselves vampires? Bah. This entire evening has been nothing but a pageant of insipid nonsense.” “[laughing] Yes.” “Worshipping at the altar of your own mediocre frivolity. A jester's hollow dance. And who is laughing?” “Yeah! [whoops] [grunts]” “Vampires are supposed to have blood orgies and slaughter circles. Gah! You have all gone soft. You even invited humans to this asinine affair.”
Noun
A person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim; a common and undistinguished person.
- Antonyms
- Examples
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More examples (2)
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.
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.
A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.
Usage- Historical
Adjective
moderate to inferior in quality
- Synonyms
- Examples
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they improved the quality from mediocre to above average
lacking exceptional quality or ability
- Examples
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a novel of average merit
only a fair performance of the sonata
More examples (3)
in fair health
the caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
the performance was middling at best
poor to middling in quality
- Examples
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there have been good and mediocre and bad artists