aggregate
C1Formal, Academic, Business, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A whole formed by combining several separate elements; a total.
Used as a verb: to collect or combine into one mass, total, or sum. As an adjective: formed from several separate elements; total, combined.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies the combination of disparate or varied components into a single unified whole. Can have a slightly statistical or mathematical nuance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'aggregate' is frequently used in sports contexts (e.g., aggregate score over two legs). In American finance/accounting, 'aggregate' is very common for combined financial data. Minor pronunciation differences.
Connotations
Technical/neutral in both, but slightly more common in UK sports reporting.
Frequency
Higher frequency in business and economics contexts in both varieties; moderate general frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
aggregate [something] (into something)be aggregated (with something)aggregate [number] points/goalsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the aggregate”
- “on aggregate (sports)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to combined financial metrics, e.g., 'aggregate revenue'.
Academic
Used in economics (aggregate demand), sociology (aggregate data), and statistics.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used in news (sports scores, economic reports).
Technical
In computing (data aggregation), construction (aggregate materials like gravel).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The software aggregates data from multiple sources.
- Their votes were aggregated to determine the overall winner.
- We need to aggregate the results of all regional surveys.
American English
- The system aggregates user feedback automatically.
- The funds were aggregated into a single account.
- They aggregate sales figures from every store.
adverb
British English
- Aggregately, the figures look positive.
- The costs, considered aggregately, were prohibitive.
American English
- Viewed aggregately, the project was a success.
- Aggregately, these small changes have a big impact.
adjective
British English
- The aggregate score over the two legs was 4-2.
- Aggregate demand in the economy has fallen.
- What's the aggregate amount due?
American English
- The aggregate value of the assets is impressive.
- Aggregate data shows a clear trend.
- They reported the aggregate sales for the quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The team won on aggregate after two games.
- Please aggregate all the numbers on this list.
- Economists study aggregate demand to understand the whole market.
- The aggregate score determined the champion.
- The aggregate data from the clinical trials was compelling.
- We need to aggregate these disparate datasets into a coherent whole.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GREGarious group of ATEs — they all come together to form one big meal (aggregate).
Conceptual Metaphor
COLLECTING GRAINS OF SAND TO MAKE A BEACH (many small parts making one large whole).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'агрегат' (machine unit). Better equivalents: 'совокупность', 'суммарный показатель', 'итог'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing noun/verb stress patterns (AGG-rig-et vs agg-RIG-ate).
- Using as a simple synonym for 'average' (it's a total, not an average).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'aggregate' most commonly used in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Aggregate' often emphasizes the process of bringing separate items together, while 'total' is the simple sum. 'Aggregate' is also more formal and common in technical contexts.
In both UK and US English, the noun/adjective is stressed on the first syllable: AGG-rig-et. The verb is often stressed on the last syllable: agg-ri-GATE, though the first-syllable stress is also accepted for the verb.
Primarily, yes. It's standard in UK sports reporting (football) to mean the combined score over two matches. Americans might say 'total score' or 'combined score'.
It's relatively formal. In casual speech, people more often use 'total', 'combined', or 'overall'. Using 'aggregate' might sound technical or business-like.
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