Meaning & Definition of word "Average"

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.