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on the average

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on the average

 and on average

generally; usually. On the average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure rate. This report looks OK, on average.

See also: average, on

on the average

also on average

usually Health conditions were on the average pretty good. Women on average tend to be more interested in shopping than men are.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of on average (when two or more amounts are added together and divided by the number of amounts)

See also: average, on

on the average

As a rule, usually, as in On the average, about 15 percent of the freshmen class will drop out before graduation. This expression uses average in the sense of "a norm or standard." [First half of 1700s]

See also: average, on