Mediocre vs The figures really aren't that good

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Mediocre

Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective

The figures really aren't that good

Top 2,000 (common)
 MediocreThe figures really aren't that good
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˌmiː.dɪˈəʊ.kər//🇺🇸 //ˌmiː.dɪˈoʊ.kɚ//🇬🇧 //ðə ˈfɪgəz ˈrɪəli ɑːnt ðæt ɡʊd//🇺🇸 //ðə ˈfɪɡjərz ˈrili ɑrnt ðæt ɡʊd//
MeaningNot very good or bad; just okayThe numbers or results are not very good.
ExampleThe movie received mediocre reviews from critics.The figures really aren't that good for our sales this quarter.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsmediocre performance, mediocre quality, mediocre skillsfigures show, figures indicate, financial figures, sales figures, data figures
Antonymsexcellent, superb, outstanding-
Common mistakesUsed interchangeably with 'average', which can be misleading in context., Confused with 'mediocrity', which is a noun., Overused in casual conversation, leading to a lack of impact.Confused with 'the figures' as in diagrams rather than numbers., Using 'good' instead of synonyms for a more precise meaning., Overusing in overly positive situations where the figures are actually negative.
Usage notesTypically used to describe performance, quality, or skill. Best avoided in formal contexts when possible; may be too negative in some situations.Use when discussing data or performance in a relatively casual context. May not be suitable for formal reports.

See it in real clips

The figures really aren't that good

Frequently asked questions: Mediocre vs The figures really aren't that good

What's the difference between Mediocre and The figures really aren't that good?

Mediocre: Not very good or bad; just okay The figures really aren't that good: The numbers or results are not very good.

Can you show an example of each?

Mediocre: The movie received mediocre reviews from critics. The figures really aren't that good: The figures really aren't that good for our sales this quarter.

Can I use Mediocre and The figures really aren't that good interchangeably?

Not always. Mediocre and The figures really aren't that good are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons