so-so

1 of 2

adverb

ˈsō-ˈsō How to pronounce so-so (audio)
Synonyms of so-sonext
: moderately well : tolerably

so-so

2 of 2

adjective

: neither very good nor very bad : middling
a so-so performance

Synonyms of so-so

Relevance

Adverb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of so-so in a Sentence

Adverb I think I did so-so on the test Adjective a so-so production of a great play
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
The question will be whether Graves, who played center in college, can overcome his smaller frame and so-so athleticism. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 The right shot can truly take an item from so-so to incredible looking in no time. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 22 June 2026
Adjective
With a so-so viewership, the future of the golf comedy, which premiered July 16, is in limbo. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 Willis being so-so leaves the franchise in a gray area regarding selecting a quarterback in the first round of next year’s draft. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for so-so

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of so-so was circa 1530

Rhymes for so-so

See All Rhymes for so-so

Browse Nearby Words

Sosnowiec
so-so
sost
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“So-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/so-so. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

so-so

1 of 2 adverb
ˈsō-ˈsō
: fairly well : tolerably, passably
played the violin only so-so

so-so

2 of 2 adjective
: neither very good nor very bad
a so-so performance
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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