average
Very HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
A single value representing the typical or central value of a set of numbers, calculated by adding all values and dividing by their number; ordinary or typical.
Used as a standard or reference point; the ordinary degree or amount of something; a level considered normal or acceptable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word functions across noun, adjective, and verb forms with a cohesive semantic core. As an adjective, 'average' can carry neutral, descriptive meaning or sometimes a pejorative sense of mediocrity, heavily dependent on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In mathematical/statistical contexts, 'average' typically refers to the arithmetic mean. British English might more readily use 'mean' in formal contexts to avoid ambiguity with 'median' or 'mode'. 'Average out' as a phrasal verb is common in both.
Connotations
In everyday speech, both use 'average' similarly. However, the negative connotation of mediocrity ('just average') might be slightly more prevalent in British English.
Frequency
Extremely frequent in both varieties with no significant difference in usage frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
average [number/amount]average at [value]average over [period]average [something] outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “above average”
- “below average”
- “on average”
- “the law of averages”
- “average Joe”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In business, 'average' is used for KPIs like 'average revenue per user', 'average order value', or 'average cost'.
Academic
In academic contexts, it precisely denotes the arithmetic mean and is foundational in statistics.
Everyday
In everyday speech, it describes typicality ('an average day') or mediocrity ('an average performance').
Technical
In technical fields like statistics, 'average' is often specified as 'mean', 'median', or 'mode' to avoid ambiguity.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The rainfall for the region averages 800mm per year.
- Let's average out the scores to get a fair result.
American English
- Our sales averaged about $5,000 a week last quarter.
- If you average the numbers, you get 7.5.
adverb
British English
- We receive, on average, three complaints a day.
- The team performed about average in the tournament.
American English
- The course is, on average, completed in six months.
- He scored average on the test.
adjective
British English
- The average house price in the city is now unaffordable.
- He gave a rather average performance in the match.
American English
- The average temperature in July is quite high.
- It was just an average movie, nothing special.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My test score was average.
- The average age in our class is ten.
- On average, I drink two cups of coffee a day.
- The film was good but the acting was just average.
- The data suggests that temperatures are rising faster than the global average.
- We need to average the monthly expenses to create a realistic budget.
- The company's profits have been averaging 15% growth over the last five years.
- Despite her average grades, her extracurricular achievements made her a strong candidate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of AVERAGE as 'AVER-age' – 'A Very Equal Ratio' – all numbers are added and divided to get an equal share, representing the typical AGE or value.
Conceptual Metaphor
AVERAGE IS THE CENTRE (the typical point around which data clusters); AVERAGE IS MEDIOCRITY (lacking high or low qualities).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'средний' ('average/size') for 'average' in the sense of 'mediocre' without careful context.
- Do not translate 'average' directly in idioms like 'average Joe' ('обычный парень' is better).
- In Russian, 'среднее арифметическое' is the precise term for the mathematical average, while English 'average' is more general.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'average' when 'median' or 'mode' is technically correct.
- Using 'an average of 10 people are...' – treat the quantity after 'average of' as singular: 'An average of 10 people attends'.
- Confusing 'on average' (generally) with 'in average' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'an average of 50 students', the following verb should be:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In common usage, 'average' usually means the arithmetic 'mean'. Technically, 'mean' is the sum divided by count, 'median' is the middle value, and 'mode' is the most frequent value.
It is context-dependent. Descriptively ('average height') it's neutral. Evaluatively ('an average student') it can imply mediocrity or lack of excellence.
Yes, meaning to amount to or achieve an average of, or to calculate the average of something (e.g., 'She averages 10km a day running').
It's a layman's belief that a particular outcome is due to happen because it hasn't happened for a while, based on the idea that results will even out over time.