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 and service. [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]
ordinary
Example
I just need an ordinary pen to write this note. [ordinary: adjective]
Example
He was an ordinary man with a regular job and a family. [ordinary: adjective]
Example
The day was just an ordinary day, nothing special happened. [ordinary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ordinary is more commonly used than mediocre in everyday language. Ordinary is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while mediocre is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mediocre and ordinary?
Both mediocre and ordinary are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
