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average out

B1 neutral mixed both
In simple words

When lots of different amounts or results end up giving you a middle number when you add them all together.

Literal meaning: To calculate an average figure across a range of numbers.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To reach a middle or balanced result when all individual amounts are considered together.

"Some weeks I work sixty hours and some only thirty, but it averages out to around forty-five per week."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To calculate the average of a set of numbers by dividing the total by the number of values.

"If you average out all the test scores, the class mean is 74 percent."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 informal

For things to balance over time so that highs and lows cancel each other out.

"Don't worry about one bad month — it'll average out over the year."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Can be used intransitively ('it averages out') or transitively ('if you average it out'). Very common in everyday conversation when discussing costs, grades, or performance over time. Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'at': 'It averaged out to about fifty dollars a week.'

Commonly used with

cost price income grade speed temperature

Forms

Base
average out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
averages out
he/she/it
Past simple
averaged out
yesterday
Past participle
averaged out
have + pp
-ing form
averaging out
continuous

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