What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
average
Example
The average age of the students in the class is 15. [average: noun]
Example
On average, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the task. [average: adverb]
mean
Example
The mean of the data set is 7. [mean: noun]
Example
She can be mean sometimes, but she's usually nice. [mean: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Average is more commonly used than mean in everyday language, as it can be used in various contexts beyond mathematics and statistics.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between average and mean?
Mean is generally more formal than average, making it more suitable for academic or technical writing in mathematical and statistical fields.
