subpar
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of subpar
First recorded in 1895–1900; sub- ( def. ) + par 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He fired a manager over the bad chili and other subpar food.
He posts on X about subpar city snow clearing and various internet memes.
The numbers: The U.S. expanded at a subpar 1.4% annual pace in the fourth quarter of 2025, depressed by a long federal shutdown that caused government spending to plunge.
From MarketWatch
Live boxing and live auto racing deliver palpable electricity with subpar sightlines.
From Los Angeles Times
At the end of the interview, when they ask if you have any questions for them, this is when you can circle back to that subpar answer.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
