What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mediocre
Example
The food at the restaurant was mediocre. [mediocre: adjective]
Example
He gave a mediocre presentation that failed to engage the audience. [mediocre: adjective]
Example
She was a mediocre student, never standing out in any particular subject. [mediocre: adjective]
fair
Example
The hotel room was fair for the price we paid. [fair: adjective]
Example
He did a fair job on the project, meeting the basic requirements. [fair: adjective]
Example
She always tries to be fair in her dealings with others. [fair: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fair is more commonly used than mediocre in everyday language. Fair is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while mediocre is less common and often used in negative situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mediocre and fair?
Both mediocre and fair are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.