noun
mediocrity
mee-dee-AH-kruh-tee/ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/
Ordinary quality falling short of excellence.
The central cookies show mediocrity beside the exceptionally well-finished batch.
Etymology
The “halfway up a mountain” image underlies a middle or middling condition. Mediocrity initially named moderation neutrally, but came to emphasize the unimpressive quality of ability or achievement that rises no higher than average.
In context
This is not the time to turn away from excellence and go down the blind alley of mediocrity. But even in these constrained times, as we will this year, we have had many notable successes.
More examples
- The new manager refuses to accept mediocrity from her team.
- Even the talented cast cannot save this movie from mediocrity.
- The critic dismisses both bestselling authors as mediocrities.
Forms
mediocrity · mediocrities
mediocre adjective — Of ordinary quality rather than outstanding.
Similar words
- averageness
- Describes typical quality more neutrally, without necessarily suggesting disappointment.
- inferiority
- Means lower quality than something else, not merely average quality.