# average

/ˈævɝɪdʒ/ (US) · /ˈævɹɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/average
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. mathematical mean

noun · CEFR A2

the result you get by adding several amounts together and dividing by the number of amounts.

For teachers: the arithmetic mean, calculated by dividing the sum of a set of values by the number of items in that set.

- The average of three, seven, and eight is six.
- To determine the final grade, the professor calculated the weighted average of the midterm exam and the final project.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 2. the usual amount

noun · CEFR B1

the normal or typical amount for a group of people or things.

For teachers: the typical or common level, degree, or amount within a specific population or context.

- The rainfall this month was well above the average for July.
- The survey indicates that the average for household spending has risen significantly due to increased energy costs.

### 3. sports performance

noun · CEFR B2

a number that shows how well a player usually performs.

For teachers: a ratio expressing a player's performance, such as a batting average in baseball or cricket.

- The player finished the season with a very high batting average.
- Despite a slow start to the tournament, the striker managed to maintain a respectable scoring average over the final ten matches.

### 4. typical or ordinary

adjective · CEFR A2

normal and like most others; not special or unusual.

For teachers: representing the most common or typical instance of a group; lacking distinctive or excellent qualities.

- The average person spends several hours a day on their phone.
- The film was about an average family living in a quiet suburb, dealing with everyday problems.

### 5. mediocre

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

not very good, but not terrible; just okay.

For teachers: of medium or low quality; unremarkable or mediocre in performance or character.

- The food at the new restaurant was only average, so we won't go back.
- While the technical aspects of the performance were sound, the emotional delivery was strictly average and failed to move the audience.

### 6. to result in a mean

verb · CEFR B1

to have a particular amount as an average over a period of time.

For teachers: to amount to or result in a mean value over a specific duration or across a population.

- The tickets average about twenty dollars each if you buy them in a group.
- The company's profits average five million dollars per year, though this fluctuates depending on seasonal demand.

### 7. maritime loss

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

money paid to cover damage to goods being moved by ship.

For teachers: the proportional distribution of a financial loss caused by damage to a ship or its cargo among all parties interested in the voyage.

- The shipping company had to calculate the general average after the storm damaged the cargo.
- Under maritime law, the principle of general average requires all stakeholders to share the costs of any sacrifice made to save the vessel from imminent peril.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialized legal and insurance term; learners will rarely encounter it outside of maritime law or shipping contracts.

## Examples

- The average of three, seven, and eight is six.
- The student's test scores were mostly high, but a single low mark brought down her overall average for the semester.
- While individual performance fluctuated throughout the season, the team's scoring average remained remarkably consistent, reflecting their disciplined approach to every match.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.