Definitions

so-so

[soh-soh, soh-soh] / ˈsoʊˌsoʊ, ˈsoʊˈsoʊ /

ADJECTIVE

in an acceptable manner

Synonyms

STRONGEST

mediocre middling passable respectable undistinguished

WEAK

adequate average enough fair fair to middling fairish indifferent medium mid moderate not bad okay ordinary run-of-the-mill tolerable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

exceptional extraordinary superior

WEAK

different distinguished excellent

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.

Consumer spending, meanwhile, was just so-so in January.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

The poetry is so-so, but programmers are entranced by its coding skill.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Energy’s outperformance is particularly interesting because the sector’s near-term prospects are just so-so.

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

Its actual meaning is unclear, though some say it means "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that".

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Hannah starts to join me, but she ends up waving her palm in a so-so sign and shrugs.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina