What does mediocrity mean?

Mediocrity refers to a state of being average or moderate in quality, often implying a lack of distinguishing characteristics or achievements. It suggests that something is neither particularly good nor particularly bad; it is simply unremarkable. The choice that best captures this meaning is unremarkableness, as it emphasizes the idea of being ordinary and not standing out in any distinctive way.

In contrast, excellence refers to a high quality or outstanding nature, which is the opposite of mediocrity. Ordinateness, while similar, does not fully convey the connotation of being unremarkable or lacking noteworthy characteristics. Superiority implies being superior or better than others, which is also contrary to the essence of mediocrity. Therefore, unremarkableness aptly encapsulates the essence of mediocrity, making it the correct choice.