Part of Speech

Adjective, Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/ˈævərɪdʒ/ (AV-er-ij)

Definitions

• 1. (Adjective) Typical or normal, not exceptional in any way.
• 2. (Noun) A number or value representing the central or typical value in a set of data, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.
• 3. (Verb) To calculate or determine the average of a set of numbers.

Usage Examples

• "The average score on the exam was 75%."
• "His performance was average, not remarkable."
• "We need to average the scores to get the overall result."

Etymology

The word "average" comes from the Middle English *averag*, meaning "a division of a loss" in maritime law. This was derived from Old French *avérage*, from *avérer* meaning "to make good" (related to compensation). Over time, the meaning expanded to its current usage, reflecting a central tendency in statistics.

Synonyms

• Normal
• Typical
• Commonplace
• Standard
• Median

Antonyms

• Exceptional
• Extraordinary
• Unusual
• Outstanding

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "average" remains largely consistent across English-speaking regions, though accents may influence the vowel sounds slightly. For example, in some British English dialects, the "a" in "average" may sound more like "ah," while American English tends to use a clearer "æ" sound.

Historical Usage

In the past, the term "average" was used primarily in the context of maritime law, where it referred to the sharing of the cost of ship damages. Its meaning evolved through the 16th and 17th centuries to refer to an average or central value in various contexts, including mathematics and statistics.

Cultural Nuances

The concept of "average" plays a significant role in various cultural contexts, particularly in education and statistics. In schools and universities worldwide, grading systems often use averages to assess students' performance. The term has also gained cultural relevance in discussions about "normality" and "averageness," with some cultures viewing the concept of being "average" as either neutral or undesirable, while others view it as a sign of balance or conformity.

More Information

In mathematics and statistics, the "average" (more formally known as the arithmetic mean) is a central measure of tendency. It is commonly used to summarize data, offering a single value that represents the center of a dataset. Averages are widely used in all fields of science, economics, and everyday life, from determining the average temperature of a region to calculating average household incomes. It is a tool for simplifying complex information into something easily understandable and comparable.