Average Definition

ăvər-ĭj, ăvrĭj

ave, averaged, averages, averaging

noun

averages

A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function.

American Heritage

The numerical result obtained by dividing the sum of two or more quantities by the number of quantities; an arithmetic mean.

Webster's New World

An intermediate level or degree.

Near the average in size.

American Heritage

Grade-point average.

Webster's New World

The usual or ordinary kind or quality.

Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
norm
run-of-mine
aggregate
tally
percentage
proportion
ordinarily
commonly
generally
usually
common-run
typical kind
the usual
general run
center

Antonyms:

adjective

Of, relating to, or constituting an average.

American Heritage

Constituting an average.

The average speed is high.

Webster's New World

Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale.

A movie of average length; a player of average ability.

American Heritage

Intermediate in value, rate, etc.; hence, normal or ordinary.

An average student.

Webster's New World

Usual or ordinary in kind or character.

A poll of average people; average eyesight.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

verb

averaged, averages, averaging

To calculate the average of.

Average a set of numbers.

American Heritage

To be or amount to on an average.

The children average six years of age.

Webster's New World

To calculate the average or mean of.

Webster's New World

To do or have an average of.

Averaged three hours of work a day.

American Heritage

To buy or sell additional fixed amounts, as of shares of stock, at lower or higher prices over time so as to get a better average price.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
balance
arrive at an average
stabilize
pair-off
equalize
equate
take the average
compute an average
split the difference
reduce to a mean
strike-a-balance
average-out
typical
standard
so-so

idiom

average out

to arrive at an average eventually

Webster's New World

on (the) average

as an average quantity, rate, etc.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Average

Noun

Singular:

average

Plural:

averages

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Average

average out
on (the) average

Origin of Average

Early Modern English damage to a ship or its cargo, equitable distribution of the expenses from such damage, average from Middle English charge above the cost of freight from Old French avarie from Old Italian avaria duty from Arabic ‘awārīya damaged goods from ‘awār blemish from ‘awira to be damaged ʕwr in Semitic roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French avarie, from Old Italian avaria (which possibly from Arabic عوارية (ʕawārīya, “damaged goods”), from عوار (ʕawār, “fault, blemish, defect, flaw”), from عور (ʕáwira, “to lose an eye”)).

From Wiktionary