Reading Theme:
Average: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：typical or ordinary (average)
average
/ˈævərɪdʒ/
n.
Used to describe someone or something that is ordinary, of the usual standard, not special.
typical or ordinary
➕
/ˈtɪpɪkəl ɔr ˈɔrdəˌnɛri/
n.
Describes the standard or typical level or quality, not exceptionally good or bad.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Arabic 'awariya' (damaged goods), via Latin 'averagium' and French 'avarie', originally related to maritime losses.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: "A verAGE" - as in verifying the common AGE or typical level of a group.
📖 Example
He is not a top student, but he's definitely above average in his math class.
He is not a top student, but he's definitely above average in his math class.
🔗 Collocations
above average – better than the typical level
below average – worse than the typical level
on average – as a typical or general rule
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
exceptional (adj.) – unusually good; outstanding
extraordinary (adj.) – very unusual or remarkable
uncommon (adj.) – not occurring or found often; rare
🌱 Derivatives
averagely (adv.) – in an ordinary or typical manner
📖 Cultural Story
In medieval maritime law, 'averagium' referred to the proportional sharing of losses (like jettisoned cargo) among all merchants on a ship. This concept of equitable distribution based on a calculated share evolved into the modern mathematical and statistical term.
Meaning 2：calculated mean (average)
average
/ˈævərɪdʒ/
n.
A number you get by adding up several numbers together and then dividing by how many numbers you added.
calculated mean
➕
/kælkjəˌleɪtɪd min/
n.
A single number calculated by adding several numbers together and dividing by the count of those numbers, representing a central value.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
To calculate your final grade, the teacher will take the average of your five test scores.
To calculate your final grade, the teacher will take the average of your five test scores.
🔗 Collocations
calculate an average – to find the mean value
national average – the mean value for an entire country
weighted average – an average where some numbers contribute more than others
🔄 Synonyms
mean (n.) – the mathematical average found by dividing the sum of values by their number
central tendency (n.) – a statistical measure identifying a central or typical value in a data set
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