mediocrity
mee-dih-OK-rih-tee
Mediocrity (noun) means the state of being only average, with nothing outstanding about it. Example: “The critic accused the band of settling into mediocrity after their first hit.”
noun
1
The state of being only average, with nothing outstanding about it.
"The critic accused the band of settling into mediocrity after their first hit."
2
A person of unremarkable ability or achievement.
"He dismissed his rival as a mediocrity with no real talent."
How to use mediocrity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOrdinariness, especially when something was expected to be better.
Common pairings
settle for mediocrity
sink into mediocrity
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Word forms
- Plural
- mediocrities
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The critic accused the band of settling into _____ after their first hit.
Etymology
From Latin mediocritās, from mediocris ("middling, moderate").
Synonyms
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averageness
second-rater
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mediocrity
See all rhymes for mediocrity →Frequently asked questions
What does “mediocrity” mean?
The word “mediocrity” means the state of being only average, with nothing outstanding about it. In plain terms, ordinariness, especially when something was expected to be better.
How do you pronounce “mediocrity”?
“Mediocrity” is pronounced mee-dih-OK-rih-tee (/mi.dɪˈɑk.ɹɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “mediocrity” in a sentence?
Here is “mediocrity” used in a sentence: “The critic accused the band of settling into mediocrity after their first hit.”
What part of speech is “mediocrity”?
“Mediocrity” is a noun.
Where does the word “mediocrity” come from?
The word “mediocrity” comes from Latin. From Latin mediocritās, from mediocris ("middling, moderate").
Is “mediocrity” a common word?
“Mediocrity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “mediocrity” have?
“Mediocrity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being only average, with nothing outstanding about it.
