What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subpar
Example
The food at the restaurant was subpar. [subpar: adjective]
Example
The team's subpar performance led to their defeat. [subpar: noun]
mediocre
Example
The movie was mediocre, not great but not terrible either. [mediocre: adjective]
Example
The restaurant received mediocre reviews for its food. [mediocre: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mediocre is more commonly used than subpar in everyday language. Mediocre is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while subpar is less common and often used in specific contexts such as sports or business.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between subpar and mediocre?
Both subpar and mediocre are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, mediocre is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including formal ones, while subpar is more limited in its usage.
