rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryaverageOrdinary or typical
adjective / noun / verb

average

AV-er-ij/ˈævərɪdʒ/

A central level representative of a larger set.

The average house matches the modest size of most homes nearby.

An ordinary modest house within a neighborhood where most homes share its scale and unexceptional appearance; a tiny cottage and a much larger house provide restrained contrasts.
Etymology
averageFrenchdamage to a ship

French avarie referred to shipping damage, whose cost came to be shared proportionately. This sharing led to the mathematical mean and then “ordinary” or “typical”; the maritime word’s deeper origin is uncertain.

In context

Maximilien Robespierre0:10
the average bill will fall to 1,923 a decrease of 151 now this is for typical use
Tory Minister Gets Stroppy When Interview Doesn't Go The Way He Wants!

More examples

  • An average adult bicycle fits comfortably through the doorway.
  • The runners averaged eight miles an hour.
  • Sales this month are above the yearly average.

Forms

average · averages · averaged · averaging

Similar words

mean
Specifically names the arithmetic total divided by the number of values.
typical
Emphasizes representativeness rather than a calculated central value.