Inklingo
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mediocre

meh-dee-oh-kreh/meˈðjo.kɾe/

“mediocre” means “mediocre” in Spanish (not very good; average).

mediocre

Also: ordinary, second-rate
Adjectivem or fB1
General
A simple drawing of a single small, plain gray stone sitting among several large, shiny, colorful gemstones.

📝 In Action

La comida en ese restaurante fue bastante mediocre.

A2

The food at that restaurant was quite mediocre.

No te conformes con un resultado mediocre; tú puedes hacerlo mejor.

B1

Don't settle for a mediocre result; you can do better.

Muchos críticos consideraron que su actuación fue mediocre.

B2

Many critics considered his performance to be mediocre.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • un estudiante mediocre – an average/uninspired student
  • calidad mediocre – poor/middling quality
  • rendimiento mediocre – mediocre performance

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedarse en la mediocridad – to settle for being average or not pushing oneself

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mediocre" in Spanish:

second-rate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mediocre

Question 1 of 3

If you describe a painting as 'mediocre' in Spanish, how do you likely feel about it?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mediocridad(mediocrity) — Noun
mediocrizar(to make something mediocre) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'mediocris', which literally meant 'halfway up a mountain'. It comes from 'medius' (middle) and 'ocris' (a jagged mountain).

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: médiocreItalian: mediocreEnglish: mediocre

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'mediocre' always mean 'bad'?

Technically it means 'average,' but in modern Spanish, it is almost always used with a negative connotation to mean 'not good enough' or 'lacking talent.'

Can I use 'mediocre' for people?

Yes, but it is quite insulting. Calling someone 'un mediocre' suggests they have no ambition or are consistently underperforming.

What is the plural of 'mediocre'?

The plural is 'mediocres'. For example: 'Sus resultados fueron mediocres' (Their results were mediocre).