average
Pluralaverages
Verbaverages, averaging, averaged
Pluralaverages
Formsaverages, averaging, averaged
- 1The number you get by adding several amounts together and dividing by how many there are.
Like sharing candy equally so everyone ends up with the same amount.
To find the average, add the test scores and divide by five.
Her average for the week was eighty points.
UsageSay on average or above average.
Similarmean
Note
- 2Showing or based on the average of a set of numbers.
Like the middle number that stands in for a whole group of numbers.
The chart shows the average temperature for each month.
We compared the average score across all the classes.
UsageSay the average temperature.
Similarmean
- 3Being the usual or normal kind, like most others of the same type.
Like the kind of weather you'd expect on most days, nothing unusual.
On an average day, she walks the dog and reads a book.
The average shopper spends about an hour in the store.
UsageSay the average shopper or an average day.
Similartypical, normal, ordinary, usual, standard
Oppositeunusual, atypical, exceptional
Note
- 4To have a middle value of something when measured over time or across a group.
Like saying you usually eat about three meals a day, counted over many days.
The team averages thirty points a game this season.
Most students average about seven hours of sleep on weeknights.
UsageSay averages thirty points a game.
- 5Not very good and not very bad. Just ordinary.
Like a player who is neither the best nor the worst on the team.
The movie was just average, not great but not terrible.
His grades stayed average all through high school.
UsageOften just average or only average.
Similarordinary, mediocre, middling, unremarkable, passable
Oppositeexceptional, outstanding, remarkable, extraordinary
- 6A number that shows how well a player performs, worked out from their scoring record.
Like a score that tells you how good a player usually is.
His batting average climbed after a strong week at the plate.
She has the highest average on the team this season.
UsageOften batting average.
Note
Less common meanings
- 7To work out the average of a set of numbers by adding them and dividing.
Like adding up everyone's score and splitting it evenly to get one number.
The teacher averaged the four test scores to get a final grade.
You can average these numbers to see the typical amount.
- 8
- 9Work that a tenant owed their lord, done using the tenant's animals, like hauling grain or turf.
- 10In shipping, damage or loss to a ship or its goods, and how that cost is shared among those involved.
- 11To split a cost or amount among several people in fair shares.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
It came through French and Italian words about damaged goods, possibly from an Arabic word meaning "damaged goods" or "fault," plus the English ending -age.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Average came through French and Italian words concerning damage to goods. en.wiktionary.org
- An Arabic word meaning damaged goods or fault is a possible ultimate source. en.wiktionary.org
- The English formation includes the ending -age. en.wiktionary.org
It comes from an old word for a work animal and the duty of using it to carry a lord's goods, plus the ending -age.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- This sense derives from a word for a work animal and the transport service owed to a lord. en.wiktionary.org
- The formation includes the ending -age. en.wiktionary.org