inferior vs third-rate

inferior is a noun but third-rate is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
inferior	Yes	Yes	No	No
third-rate	No	Yes	No	No

inferior (noun)	third-rate (noun)
a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character
one of lesser rank or station or quality

inferior (adjective)	third-rate (adjective)
written or printed below and to one side of another character	of lesser quality than second-rate
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
of low or inferior quality
having an orbit between the sun and the Earth's orbit
lower than a given reference point
falling short of some prescribed norm