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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
• conventional
• common
• customary
• classic
• predictable
• everyday
• expected
• commonplace
• routine
• predominant
• habitual
• familiar
• unremarkable
• workaday
• unexceptional
• vintage
• textbook
• wonted
• preponderant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Related 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

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

• 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

In the five seasons the Rangers have played home games at GLM with no COVID restrictions, the team’s average ranking in MLB attendance is 15th. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

The Miami Marlins are still fighting for a playoff spot, which is pretty impressive given the average age of their team. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Those borrowers who fell behind on their student loans and were deemed delinquent saw their FICO score decline by an average of 38 points. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

An average of more than 2,500 rapes are reported in Nepal every year, including 250 in which the victims are under the age of 10, according to data compiled by the Nepal Police. — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Russell Westbrook, the 2016-17 NBA MVP and one of only three players to average a triple-double for a season, announced his retirement Wednesday after 18 years. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Cities that had their warmest Julys include Denver and Salt Lake City, as the Intermountain West had the most significant heat compared to average last month. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026