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]
median
Example
In this dataset, the median income is $50,000. [median: noun]
Example
The median age of the participants was 35 years old. [median: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Average is more commonly used than median in everyday language. Average is a versatile term that is widely understood and used in various contexts, such as grades, sports, and statistics. On the other hand, median is more commonly used in specific fields like mathematics, data analysis, and research.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between average and median?
Both average and median can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, median is more commonly used in technical or specialized discussions, making it slightly more formal than average.
