Synonyms of average

average 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in median

being about midway between extremes of amount or size

since a Chihuahua seems as impractical as a Saint Bernard, let's get a dog of more average dimensions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• median
• typical
• moderate
• modest
• middle
• reasonable
• intermediate
• medium
• middling
• mean
• normal
• midsized
• standard
• midsize
• adequate
• usual
• regular
• conventional
• common
• routine
• tolerable
• popular
• commonplace
• passable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• excessive
• extreme
• unusual
• exceptional
• rare
• special
• uncommon
• individual
• strange
• unique
• private
• distinctive
• peculiar
• idiosyncratic

2

as in normal

being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events

just an average day at the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• normal
• ordinary
• usual
• typical
• standard
• common
• commonplace
• routine
• everyday
• unremarkable
• expected
• customary
• regular
• prosaic
• unexceptional
• run-of-the-mill
• garden-variety
• standard-issue
• familiar
• par for the course
• workaday
• cut-and-dried
• cut-and-dry
• homely
• plain
• predictable
• popular
• frequent
• insignificant
• trivial
• vulgar
• unimportant
• habitual
• natural
• unextraordinary
• plain-Jane
• wonted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extraordinary
• exceptional
• unusual
• abnormal
• strange
• odd
• atypical
• curious
• peculiar
• anomalous
• rare
• funny
• out-of-the-way
• quaint
• irregular
• scarce
• aberrant
• phenomenal
• untypical
• queer
• outstanding
• outrageous
• fantastic
• wild
• eccentric
• bizarre
• fantastical
• weird
• idiosyncratic
• prominent
• notable
• unprecedented
• striking
• unconventional
• unique
• wacky
• unorthodox
• signal
• freakish
• conspicuous
• offbeat
• freak
• unparalleled
• novel
• salient
• singular
• recherché
• oddball
• whacky
• unexampled
• outré
• nonconformist
• way-out
• kooky
• far-out
• Kafkaesque
• kookie

3

as in typical

having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

the company's marketing people want to interview average teenagers to see what kinds of clothes appeal to them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• typical
• normal
• standard
• usual
• regular
• true
• characteristic
• representative
• ordinary
• archetypal
• archetypical
• conventional
• common
• customary
• classic
• everyday
• expected
• predictable
• commonplace
• routine
• predominant
• habitual
• familiar
• unremarkable
• workaday
• vintage
• unexceptional
• textbook
• wonted
• preponderant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abnormal
• atypical
• anomalous
• unusual
• deviant
• aberrant
• irregular
• uncommon
• untypical
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• special
• infrequent
• remarkable
• rare
• unique
• unconventional
• nontypical
• nonrepresentative
• unexpected
• unpredictable
• distinctive
• noteworthy
• singular
• unfamiliar
• eccentric
• unknown
• unwonted
• especial
• idiosyncratic
• peculiar
• uncustomary
• odd
• unorthodox
• strange
• curious
• erratic
• nonconformist
• outlandish
• funny
• oddball
• outrageous
• quirky
• funky
• wild
• screwy
• offbeat
• wacky
• freakish
• fantastic
• unnatural
• bizarre
• weird
• freak
• out-of-the-way
• fantastical
• whacky
• way-out
• outré
• kooky
• kookie
• far-out

average

2 of 3

noun

ˈa-v(ə-)rij 

as in norm

what is typical of a group, class, or series

my cat's a cut above the average when it comes to being a finicky eater

Synonyms & Similar Words

• normal
• norm
• standard
• usual
• median
• ordinary
• par
• mean
• middle
• rule
• status quo
• representative
• golden mean
• commonplace
• run
• exemplar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deviation
• exception
• anomaly
• abnormality
• rarity

average

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to measure

Synonyms & Similar Words

• measure
• reach
• equal
• number
• total
• aggregate
• count (up to)
• come (to)
• amount (to)
• sum (to or into)
• comprise
• add up (to)
• constitute
• make up
• compose

2

as in to equalize

Synonyms & Similar Words

• equalize
• even
• organize
• order
• marshall
• systematize
• square
• normalize
• methodize
• codify
• standardize
• systemize
• regularize
• rule
• marshal
• regulate
• control
• homogenize
• govern
• reconcile
• coordinate
• formalize
• certify
• synthesize
• conform
• integrate
• accredit
• conciliate
• harmonize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tailor
• customize
• individualize

Synonym Chooser

How is the word average distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of average are mean, median, and norm. While all these words mean "something that represents a middle point," average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures.

scored an average of 85 on tests

When can mean be used instead of average?

The words mean and average are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes.

a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°

In what contexts can median take the place of average?

While the synonyms median and average are close in meaning, median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below.

average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars

Where would norm be a reasonable alternative to average?

In some situations, the words norm and average are roughly equivalent. However, norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade.

scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of average

Adjective

O’Leary cited data that of the Top 100 movies each year, the top 20 movies all had an average window exclusive to theaters of 49 days, compared to just 31 days for the bottom 80 films. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025

These projections estimate how many points a team would score and allow in a game against an average opponent on a neutral court. —Austin Mock, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025

Noun

The math doesn’t add up—especially when most brands can only realistically manage relationships with an average of 6 retail media networks, according to research from Skai and the Path to Purchase Institute. —Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

With the Orioles in 2023, Gibson had an adjusted ERA 14 percent below league average. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

Verb

Over the course of the 16-game season, the Hall of Famer averaged 131 yards per game and had twelve 100-yard games. —Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025

He’s averaged a career-high 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds across 60 appearances (42 starts), including a career-best 33.8% shooting from 3-point range. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025