average
Average (noun) means a single value that represents the typical or central figure in a set of numbers, usually found by adding them up and dividing by how many there are. Example: “The average temperature in July was 28 degrees.”
How to use average
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe typical or middle value of a group of numbers — or, more loosely, just "ordinary."
Word forms
more average comparative, averaged past tense, averages plural, averages plural, averages singular, most average superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ temperature in July was 28 degrees.
Etymology
Traced back to Arabic ʕawariyya, "damaged goods," by way of Italian avaria and French avarie — originally a shipping term for cargo-loss costs shared among merchants, later generalized to any calculated "middle" figure.
Related words
Rhymes for average
See all rhymes for average →Frequently asked questions
What does “average” mean?
The word “average” means a single value that represents the typical or central figure in a set of numbers, usually found by adding them up and dividing by how many there are. In plain terms, the typical or middle value of a group of numbers — or, more loosely, just "ordinary.".
How do you pronounce “average”?
“Average” is pronounced AV-rihj (/ˈæv.ɚ.ɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “average” in a sentence?
Here is “average” used in a sentence: “The average temperature in July was 28 degrees.”
What part of speech is “average”?
Depending on how it is used, “average” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “average” come from?
The word “average” comes from French. Traced back to Arabic ʕawariyya, "damaged goods," by way of Italian avaria and French avarie — originally a shipping term for cargo-loss costs shared among merchants, later generalized to any calculated "middle" figure.
Is “average” a common word?
“Average” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “average” have?
“Average” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single value that represents the typical or central figure in a set of numbers, usually found by adding them up and dividing by how many there are.
What is the difference between mean, median, and mode?
All three describe the centre of a set of numbers. The mean is the everyday average: add every value and divide by how many there are. The median is the middle value once the numbers are put in order. The mode is the value that appears most often. Each can give a different answer.
What is the difference between average and mean?
In everyday use they are the same thing: 'average' usually means the arithmetic mean — the total divided by the count. Strictly, though, 'average' is the broader word and can also refer to the median or mode, which are other measures of a typical value. Every mean is an average, but not every average is the mean.
How do you calculate an average?
To find the common average, or mean, add together all the numbers in your set, then divide that total by how many numbers there are. For example, the average of 4, 6, and 8 is 18 divided by 3, which equals 6. The result represents the typical, central figure of the group.
Why can an average be misleading?
An average can hide the spread of the data. A few very high or very low numbers can pull the mean far from what is typical, so most values sit nowhere near it. That is why the median is often preferred for things like income, where extremes would otherwise distort the picture.
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