third rate
Bottom of barrel
Third rate means of markedly inferior quality, distinctly below average or acceptable standards: a third-rate hotel with stained carpets and broken fixtures, third-rate acting.
The term derives from naval classifications where ships were ranked by size and armament, with first-rate vessels being the largest and most powerful.
Now it simply means poor or mediocre, often with a dismissive edge.
Of poor craftsmanship
- substandardBelow required quality
- poorLacking sufficient resources
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
lousy · crummy · deficient · low-grade · bottom-tier · bargain-basement · cheap · trashy
Lacking professional skill
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- ineptLacking skill or competence
- incompetentLacking necessary skill
hack · bush-league · rinky-dink · minor-league · second-string · B-list · D-list · small-time
Arithmetic mean or ordinary
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- unexceptionalNot standing out
passable · so-so · middling · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · pedestrian · lackluster · undistinguished
shoddy
Of poor craftsmanship
- substandardBelow required quality
- poorLacking sufficient resources
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
unsatisfactory · lousy · crummy · deficient · low-grade · bottom-tier · bargain-basement · cheap · trashy · junky
amateurish
Lacking professional skill
- unprofessionalNot meeting workplace standards
- unskilledLacking acquired competence
- ineptLacking skill or competence
incompetent · hack · bush-league · rinky-dink · minor-league · second-string · B-list · D-list · small-time · two-bit
average
Arithmetic mean or ordinary
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
unexceptional · passable · so-so · middling · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · pedestrian · lackluster · undistinguished · forgettable
- warshipsbattleship, turret, frigates, battleships, destroyers
- ratingsone star, five stars, two stars, four stars, four star
- shipsship, vessel, freighter, tanker, cargo ship
- naval termsadmiral, navy, battleship, carrier, submarine
third ratefirst-rate
Of superior quality
top-notch · excellent · superior · premium · first-class
third rateelite
Superior select group
prestigious · top-drawer · blue-chip · premier · leading
third, rate, thirds, rates, rated, rating, ratings, rater, raters