average
gb/ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
quantity
1
arithmetic mean of values
A number you get by adding several numbers and dividing by how many numbers there are.
Usage pattern:
the average of [numbers/amounts]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'average' with 'median' or 'mode', which are different statistical measures.
Synonyms
mean (The standard mathematical term; more formal in statistical contexts.)
Antonyms
extreme (Represents an unusually high or low value, opposite of a typical middle value.)
Collocations
calculate the average
|national average
|above average
|below average
|average score
Themes
mathematics
|statistics
|daily life
|education
|science
Examples
- The average of 4, 6, and 8 is 6.
- House prices in this area are higher than the national average.
- On average, students spend two hours on homework each night.
Learner examples
- The average of 2, 4, and 6 is 4.
- Our class test score is above the average.
- On average, I walk for one hour a day.
adjective
A2
property
2
typical in quality or amount
Normal in quality or amount; not very good or bad.
Usage pattern:
an average [person/score/day]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'average' instead of 'mediocre' when they mean something is slightly negative.
Synonyms
typical (Similar meaning but can refer to expected characteristics beyond just numerical measure.)
Antonyms
exceptional (Indicates something much better than normal, opposite of typical.)
Collocations
average person
|average day
|average salary
|average student
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He’s just an average student, not top of the class.
- The weather this summer has been about average.
- Her performance was average compared to others.
Learner examples
- I am an average student.
- Today is an average day.
- This store has average prices.
Verb
B1
action
3
to have a usual value over time
To usually be at a certain level or amount over time.
Usage pattern:
[something] averages [amount]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'calculate an average' rather than 'to have an average'.
Synonyms
amount to (Similar meaning but less statistical; can refer to totals rather than typical values.)
Antonyms
fluctuate wildly (Opposite in that values change greatly without a clear typical level.)
Collocations
average out at
|average around
|average over
Themes
statistics
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car averages 30 miles per gallon.
- Our sales averaged $10,000 per month last year.
- Temperatures here average 25°C in summer.
Learner examples
- The bus averages 40 km per hour.
- My phone bill averages $30 each month.
- This restaurant averages 100 customers a day.
Noun
technical
B2
quantity
4
statistical measure of central tendency
A number that shows the middle or usual value in a group of numbers.
Synonyms
central tendency (Technical term used in statistics for measures like mean, median, mode.)
Collocations
weighted average
|moving average
|three-year average
Themes
statistics
|education
|science
Examples
- The moving average smooths out short-term fluctuations.
- They calculated a weighted average to reflect importance of each factor.
- Median is another type of average.
Learner examples
- The moving average shows the trend.
- We found the weighted average score.
- Median is one kind of average.
Grammar
Dictionary form
average
IPA
GB/ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
US/ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
av - er - age (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (av)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: average
Noun
- Base: average
- Plural: average, averages
Verb
- Base: average
- 3rd Person Singular: averages
- Present Participle: averaging
- Past: averaged
Word family
Forms
averages
noun
averaging
verb
averaged
verb
Related words
averagely
adverb
Expressions
above average
1/əbˈʌv ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
better or higher than normal
Better or higher than what is usual.
Examples
- Her grades are above average for her age group.
- The hotel offers above-average service.
average out at
1/ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ ˈaʊt ˈæt/
fixed phrase
result in a mean value of...
To be a certain number when you find the mean value.
Examples
- The costs average out at about $50 per person.
- Our weekly sales averaged out at 200 units.
on average
1/ˈɔn ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
generally, when averaged out
Used to say what is usually true after looking at many examples and finding the mean value.
Examples
- On average, children start walking at around 12 months.
- The train is, on average, five minutes late.
below average
1/bɪlˈoʊ ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
worse or lower than normal
Worse or lower than what is usual.
Examples
- His test score was below average this term.
- The temperature today is below average for July.
below average
2/bɪlˈoʊ ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Worse or less than normal level
Lower in quality or amount than most others of the same kind.
Examples
- His performance this season has been below average.
- The test results were slightly below average.