What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mediocre
Example
The restaurant had mediocre food, nothing special. [mediocre: adjective]
Example
He was a mediocre student, never excelling in any subject. [mediocre: adjective]
Example
The movie received mediocre reviews from critics. [mediocre: adjective]
average
Example
The average temperature in this city is around 20 degrees Celsius. [average: noun]
Example
Her grades were average, neither excellent nor poor. [average: adjective]
Example
The company's profits were slightly above average for the industry. [average: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Average is a more commonly used word than mediocre in everyday language. Average is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while mediocre is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mediocre and average?
Both mediocre and average are relatively neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
