Spanish Conversation · Level 72
60 words
Spanish word
mediocre
Pronunciation
IPA/meˈðjokɾe/
Meaning
- adjectivemediocre
Example
La película fue mediocre.
The movie was mediocre.
More examples
Su trabajo fue mediocre y no recibió buenas críticas.
His mediocre work did not receive good reviews.
Core concept
Something passable but unimpressive, neither good nor notably bad.
Common phrases
trabajo mediocre
mediocre work
servicio mediocre
mediocre service
Similar words
pasable: Barely acceptable and adequate to get by, safe but not noteworthy.
pobre: Clearly disappointing in quality, failing to meet expectations.
insulso: Bland and flavorless, lacking distinctive character or appeal.
flojo: Weak or feeble in quality or performance, showing insufficient strength.
Definition in Spanish
Que tiene una calidad moderada o baja y no destaca por ser bueno.
Word origin
Derived from Latin mediocris (medius 'middle'), the term kept the sense of middling or unremarkable quality when it entered Spanish.
Usage tips
- Looks like English 'mediocre' with the same basic meaning, but in Spanish it usually reads as direct criticism rather than a neutral observation.
Other meanings
- averageadjective
Related words
- mediocridadmediocritynoun
- mediocrementein mediocre fashionadverb