Meaning & Definition of word "Average"

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    Average

    /ˈævərɪdʒ/

    noun:

    • 1. A number that is calculated by dividing the sum of two or more quantities by the number of quantities.
      • Example: To find the average of the scores, add them all together and divide by the total number of scores.
    • 2. The typical amount or level.
      • Example: On average, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the test.

    verb:

    • 1. To calculate the average of a set of values.
      • Example: We need to average these results to determine the overall performance.

    adjective:

    • 1. The result obtained by adding several quantities together and dividing this total by the number of quantities; typical or normal.
      • Example: The average temperature for July in this region is 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • 2. Having qualities that are typical of a group; not exceptional.
      • Example: He is an average student, performing to the standard of his classmates.

    Etymology

    From Middle French 'average', meaning 'damage' or 'loss', reverting to an accounting term.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    above average:

    Better than the usual standard.

    below average:

    Worse than the usual standard.

    on average:

    Generally; typically.

    average out:

    To become equal or aligned with the average.

    average Joe:

    An ordinary person.

    Related Words

    mean:

    The sum of values divided by the number of values.

    median:

    The middle value in a list of numbers.

    mode:

    The value that appears most frequently in a data set.

    Slang Meanings of average

    Meaning: Mediocre quality.

    Example Sentence: That movie was just average, nothing special.

    Meaning: Common or typical.

    Example Sentence: I'm feeling pretty average today, not too great, not too bad.