mediocrity

noun

me·​di·​oc·​ri·​ty ˌmē-dē-ˈä-krə-tē How to pronounce mediocrity (audio)
plural mediocrities
1
a
: the quality or state of being mediocre
came to terms with his mediocrity
b
: moderate ability or value
fed up with the mediocrity of the local schools
2
: a mediocre person
a most intelligent middle-aged mediocrityOscar Wilde

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The Enduring Moderation of Mediocre

One of the things that is remarkable about mediocre is the extent to which it has retained its meaning over the course of more than four centuries of continual use. The word, when used as an adjective, has changed very little, if at all, in its meaning since it was used in a 1586 book titled The English Secretorie (our earliest known evidence): “Mediocre, a meane betwixt high and low, vehement and slender, too much and too little as we saye. . . .” The word comes to English via Middle French from the Latin word mediocris, meaning "of medium size, moderate, middling, commonplace," and perhaps originally "halfway to the top." The noun form of mediocre is mediocrity.

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People interested in words always point out that mediocrity doesn't mean quite what its main root would indicate: Why doesn't it describe something that's right in the middle of the pack, exactly what you would expect? Instead the words mediocrity and mediocre always suggest disappointment. A mediocre play is one you wish you hadn't wasted an evening on, and the mediocre actor in it should probably find another profession. A person can even be called a mediocrity, though it isn't very nice and you'd never do it to his face.

Examples of mediocrity in a Sentence

We were disappointed by the mediocrity of the wine. He thought that he was a brilliant artist himself and that all his fellow painters were just mediocrities.
Recent Examples on the Web Haase has yet to lead the Cardinal into the NCAA Tournament, a stretch of mediocrity that began in the 2016-17 season and has several of the greatest players in school history calling for his job. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Tomlin extended his edge to 20-15. Pittsburgh Steelers Though Tomlin officially avoided his first losing season in 17 campaigns courtesy of a Week 17 victory at Seattle, that doesn’t negate the fact the Steelers have been stuck in a bit of a mediocrity rut. USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024 Indeed, the most frustrating part of Bloodline is when truly brilliant moments pierce the mediocrity and allude to what the film might have been had Yagher been permitted to see his vision through till the end. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 For example, a director, manager or project manager who is not a natural leader on their team is simply destined for mediocrity in their projects. Alejandro Oses, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Haase has yet to lead the Cardinal into the NCAA Tournament, a stretch of mediocrity that began in the spring of 2017 and wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024 One thing that has changed is that, with so much quality TV out there for voters to pick from, patience for mediocrity is shorter than ever. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2024 The Heat ended the first half of their season 5-5 in their last 10, the type of mediocrity that lands you in the play-in round. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 So believes Claudine Gay, a race hire, mediocrity, and phony who plays the victim. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mediocrity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mediokerte, mediocrite "moderation, medium size or amount," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French mediocrité "intermediate state," borrowed from Latin mediocritāt-, mediocritās "moderateness of size or amount, intermediate character, limited ability," from mediocris "of medium size, moderate, mediocre" + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mediocrity was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near mediocrity

Cite this Entry

“Mediocrity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mediocrity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mediocrity

noun
me·​di·​oc·​ri·​ty ˌmēd-ē-ˈäk-rət-ē How to pronounce mediocrity (audio)
plural mediocrities
1
: the quality or state of being mediocre
2
: a mediocre person

More from Merriam-Webster on mediocrity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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