second-rate

adjective

sec·​ond-rate ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrāt 

: of second or inferior quality or value : mediocre

a second-rate restaurant

second-rateness noun

second-rater

ˌse-kən(d)-ˈrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• decent
• mediocre
• satisfactory
• second-class
• middling
• ordinary
• medium
• indifferent
• passable
• common
• run-of-the-mill
• fair
• so-so

Examples of second-rate in a Sentence

a second-rate song from a songwriter who has done much better

a second-rate company that was never considered among the top manufacturers of televisions

second-rate goods specifically manufactured for the low end of the market

Recent Examples on the Web

His appearance in Meghan’s [‘Baby Mama Dance’] video looked so second-rate. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025

No one wants polluted air and water, but no American wants to live in a second-rate nation. —Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

But the paucity of high-level talent across those 12 programs reflects the second-rate state of college basketball in the West. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

The scandal led to a divorce, followed by Fred’s relocation to a second-rate college on the West Coast—everything had been predictable, stale like last week’s bread. —Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for second-rate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

second-rate

adjective

sec·​ond-rate

ˌsek-ən-ˈ(d)rāt

: of second or ordinary quality or value : mediocre