mediocre

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   poor to middling in quality

   there have been good and mediocre and bad artists

2. 2
   adj

   moderate to inferior in quality

   they improved the quality from mediocre to above average

3. 3
   adj

   Not excellent or outstanding, usually disappointingly so.

   I'm pretty good at tennis but only mediocre at racquetball.

4. 4
   noun

   A person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim; a common and undistinguished person.

   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.

5. 5
   adj

   lacking exceptional quality or ability

6. 6
   noun

   A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.

Etymology

From the late Middle English medioker, from the French médiocre, from the Middle French médiocre, from the Classical Latin mediocris (“in a middle state”, “of middle size”, “middling”, “moderate”, “ordinary”, from medius (“middle”) + ocris (“rugged mountain”)); compare mediocrely and mediocrity.