mediocre
/ˌmiːdiˈəʊkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmiːdiˈəʊkər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌmē-dē-ˈō-kər/ (ame, mw)
mediocre — adjective
- mediocrepositive
- more mediocrecomparative
- most mediocresuperlative
1. not reaching a good standard; being only average or somewhat poor in quality, sk
not reaching a good standard; being only average or somewhat poor in quality, skill, or performance, so that the result is neither impressive nor satisfying.
Last night's concert was mediocre at best, and many fans left early.
collocation: mediocre at best
Aarav gave a mediocre presentation that failed to impress the investors.
The quality of the fabric was so mediocre that Pim returned the shirt.
Despite training for months, Maeve achieved only mediocre results in the competition.
Customers described the software as mediocre and full of annoying bugs.
- ordinary
neutral; simply means not special, without the negative judgement that mediocre carries.
- average
neutral and factual; refers to the statistical middle, whereas mediocre implies disappointment.
- second-rate
more clearly negative; suggests clearly inferior quality rather than merely unimpressive.
- middling
slightly old-fashioned; can be neutral or mildly negative depending on context.
- outstanding
far above average, while mediocre is below what is expected.
- excellent
of very high quality, the opposite end of the quality spectrum from mediocre.
- superb
means extremely good, whereas mediocre means disappointingly ordinary.
文法句型
be mediocre
mediocre + noun
be mediocre at + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Mediocre carries a distinctly negative judgement — it suggests disappointed expectations, unlike the neutral word 'average.' Often used in criticism, evaluations, and reviews. Adding 'very' before 'mediocre' is uncommon; use 'rather mediocre' or 'thoroughly mediocre' instead.