different between intermediate vs mediocre

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin intermediatus, past participle of intermediare, from inter + Late Latin mediare (“to mediate”); also Latin intermedius

Pronunciation

• (UK)
  • (adjective, noun): IPA^(key): /?nt?(?)?midi.?t/
  • (verb): IPA^(key): /?nt?(?)?mid?ie?t/
• (US)
  • (adjective, noun): enPR: ?n-t?r-m?'d?-?t, IPA^(key): /??nt??midi.?t/
  • (verb): IPA^(key): /??nt??midie?t/

Adjective

intermediate (comparative more intermediate, superlative most intermediate)

1. Being between two extremes, or in the middle of a range.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:intermediate

Translations

Noun

intermediate (plural intermediates)

1. Anything in an intermediate position.
2. An intermediary.
3. (chemistry) Any substance formed as part of a series of chemical reactions that is not the end-product.

Translations

Verb

intermediate (third-person singular simple present intermediates, present participle intermediating, simple past and past participle intermediated)

1. (intransitive) To mediate, to be an intermediate.
2. (transitive) To arrange, in the manner of a broker.

   Central banks need to regulate the entities that intermediate monetary transactions.

Derived terms

• intermediation
• intermediatory

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• mediocer (obsolete)
• médiocre (dated)

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.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?mi?d????k?/, /?mi?d????k?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?midi?o?k??/

Adjective

mediocre (comparative more mediocre, superlative most mediocre)

1. Having no peculiar or outstanding features; not extraordinary, special, exceptional, or great; of medium quality, almost always with a negative connotation.

   Synonyms: common, commonplace, ordinary

   Antonyms: great, distinguished, exceptional, outstanding, remarkable, peculiar, excellent

Related terms

Translations

Noun

mediocre (plural mediocres)

1. A person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim; a common and undistinguished person.
   • 2014, Todd Whitaker, Dealing with Difficult Teachers, Third Edition (page 84)

     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.

   Antonym: great

2. (historical) A member of a socioeconomic class between the upper ranks of society and the agricultural workers.

Translations

References

Further reading

• mediocre in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• mediocre in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• mediocer

Catalan

Adjective

mediocre (masculine and feminine plural mediocres)

1. mediocre

Derived terms

• mediocrement

Related terms

• mediocritat

Further reading

• “mediocre” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

Italian

Adjective

mediocre (plural mediocri)

1. mediocre, ordinary, middling

   Synonyms: comune, ordinario

2. second-rate, poor, shoddy

   Synonyms: scadente, scarso

Noun

mediocre m or f (plural mediocri)

1. mediocre person; mediocrity

Related terms

Anagrams

• decimerò

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /me?di.o.kre/, [m??d?i?k??]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /me?di.o.kre/, [m??d?i??k??]

Adjective

mediocre

1. nominative/accusative neuter singular of mediocris

Portuguese

Adjective

mediocre m or f (plural mediocres, comparable)

1. Obsolete spelling of medíocre

Spanish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /me?djok?e/, [me?ð?jo.k?e]

Adjective

mediocre (plural mediocres)

1. mediocre

Related terms

• mediocridad

Further reading

• “mediocre” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.