noun

average

AV-rihj

noun

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.

"The average temperature in July was 28 degrees."

"Her test scores were well above average this term."

adjective

Typical or ordinary; neither especially good nor especially bad.

"It was just an average Tuesday at the office."

verb

To calculate the average of a set of numbers, or to amount to an average figure over time.

"The company averaged ten new customers a day last month."

How to Use Average

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe typical or middle value of a group of numbers — or, more loosely, just "ordinary."

Common pairings

on average above average average out

Word Forms

more average comparative, averaged past tense, averages plural, averages plural, averages singular, most average superlative

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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.

Rhymes for average

age wage cage page rage gage sage mage usage image stage adage

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