average height

USAGE SUMMARY

'average height' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing a person's physical characteristics. For example: "Mary is a slim woman of average height."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Snipes is average height.

The New Yorker

Average height, blond, very pretty.

The New Yorker

My average height is this many centimetres.

The New Yorker

All post office counters are average height.

The Guardian

She was average height, blond, very pretty.

The New Yorker

"The not-so-girlie girls are around average height.

The New Yorker

The average height of the current team is five six.

The New Yorker

It makes a nice pattern, most intense at average height.

The Guardian - Arts

Suppose I was going to take the average height in the class average height in this class.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

(They flanked him whenever he was stationary, underscoring his under-average height).

The New Yorker

My father, a burly, average-height man with thinning hair, grieved deeply for Stacey.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For scientific or technical contexts, specify the population or sample group when using "average height". For example, "the average height of adult males in the United States" provides clearer information than simply "average height".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "average height" is a fixed standard across all populations. Average heights vary significantly based on factors such as genetics, nutrition, and geographic location. Always consider the specific population you are referencing to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "average height" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as an adjective modifying another noun (e.g., "average height man") or as a subject complement (e.g., "His height is average"). Ludwig confirms that "average height" is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "average height" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's primarily used to describe a typical or common height within a specific group, appearing most often in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, sensitivity is required in certain contexts. Ludwig's analysis suggests using synonyms like "typical height" or "mean height" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey. Be mindful of the target audience and the varying definitions of “average” across demographics to ensure accurate and respectful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mean height

Replaces "average" with "mean", indicating the statistical average.

median height

Uses "median" instead of "average", referring to the central value in a dataset.

typical height

Substitutes "average" with "typical", suggesting a common or representative height.

normal height

Replaces "average" with "normal", implying a standard or expected height.

standard height

Uses "standard" instead of "average", denoting a height that meets a defined standard.

height on average

Rephrases to emphasize that the height is considered as an average value.

approximate height

Replaces "average" with "approximate", suggesting an estimated height.

general height

Substitutes "average" with "general", indicating a common height range.

height in general

Expresses the concept of a typical height without specifying an exact number.

usual height

Uses "usual" instead of "average", denoting the height that is commonly seen.

FAQs

How can I use "average height" in a sentence?

You can use "average height" to describe someone whose height is typical for their age and gender. For example, "She is of "average height" for a woman in her thirties."

What's the difference between "average height" and "mean height"?

"Average height" is a general term, while "mean height" refers to the sum of all heights divided by the number of individuals, a specific statistical measure. They're often used interchangeably, but "mean height" is more precise in statistical contexts.

What are some synonyms for "average height"?

Some synonyms include "typical height", "normal height", and "moderate height". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to comment on someone's "average height"?

While generally not offensive, commenting on someone's height can be sensitive. Consider the context and your relationship with the person before making such comments. Focus on objective descriptions rather than subjective judgments.