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.
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Not excellent or outstanding, usually disappointingly so.
I'm pretty good at tennis but only mediocre at racquetball.
The standard ranges from runs that are almost sensational in the speed and brilliance of the work to the ultra-mediocre.1959 June 23, O. S. Nock, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 409:
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The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.1968, William Arthur Ward, Thoughts of a Christian Optimist, Droke House:
“Look at this festive assembly. All of us, gathered here together, chuckling at jokes and silliness.” [laughter] “And jackanapery.” [rim shots] “I guess there's only one thing left to say. What is this shit?” [rim shot] [laughter] “[laughs] Very good.” “You call yourselves vampires? Bah. This entire evening has been nothing but a pageant of insipid nonsense.” “[laughing] Yes.” “Worshipping at the altar of your own mediocre frivolity. A jester's hollow dance. And who is laughing?” “Yeah! [whoops] [grunts]” “Vampires are supposed to have blood orgies and slaughter circles. Gah! You have all gone soft. You even invited humans to this asinine affair.”2023 August 24, Sarah Naftalis & Lauren Wells, “The Roast” (8:36 from the start), in What We Do in the Shadows, season 5, episode 8, spoken by Baron Afanas (Doug Jones):
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.
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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.1825, “Present State of Literature”, in The Gentleman's Magazine, volume XCV, second part, page 197:
After this lecture, how do the mediocres feel? They probably feel indifferent or mad. Perhaps they were not even paying attention. The question is, are they more likely to be in the hallway tomorrow? Probably not.2014, Todd Whitaker, Dealing with Difficult Teachers, Third Edition, page 84:
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Historical A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.