Average vs Mean vs Mediocre vs Ordinary vs Standard

Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.

Average

Top 1000 (très courant)A2adjective

Mean

Top 1000 (très courant)A1verb

Mediocre

Top 2000 (courant)B1adjective

Ordinary

Top 2000 (courant)A2adjective

Standard

Top 1000 (très courant)B1noun
 AverageMeanMediocreOrdinaryStandard
Prononciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈævərɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈævərɪdʒ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/miːn/","/miːnz/","/ment/","/ˈmiːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/miːn/","/miːnz/","/ment/","/ˈmiːnɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ˌmiː.dɪˈəʊ.kər//🇺🇸 //ˌmiː.dɪˈoʊ.kɚ//🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːdnri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːrdneri/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈstændəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈstændərd/"]/
SensNot special or better than others; typical.unpleasant or cruel; unkind.Not very good or bad; just okayCommon or usual; not special or different.The usual or accepted level of something.
ExempleThe average temperature in July is often quite high.What does this word mean in English?The movie received mediocre reviews from critics.The ordinary day turned extraordinary with a surprise party.The new model was built to meet industry standards.
RegistreNeutreNeutreNeutreNeutreNeutre
FréquenceTop 1000 (très courant)Top 1000 (très courant)Top 2000 (courant)Top 2000 (courant)Top 1000 (très courant)
Niveau CEFRA2A1B1A2B1
Nature grammaticaleadjectiveverbadjectiveadjectivenoun
Collocationsaverage score, average temperature, average person, average performance, average incomemean attitude, mean comments, mean person, mean jokemediocre performance, mediocre quality, mediocre skillsbe, look, seem, very, perfectly, quite, be, look, seem, very, perfectly, quitehigh, low, poor, have, boast, enjoy, above (the) standard, below (the) standard, according to a/​the standard, by any standard, by the standards of the day, a drop in the standard, high, low, poor, have, boast, enjoy, above (the) standard, below (the) standard, according to a/​the standard, by any standard, by the standards of the day, a drop in the standard, declining, falling, double, prescribe, keep up, maintain, drop, fall, standards of behaviour/​behavior, standards of conduct, standard of care
Antonymesexceptional, unusual, extraordinarykind, generous, niceexcellent, superb, outstandingextraordinary, exceptional, unusualexception, anomaly, deviation
Erreurs fréquentesConfused with 'mean' — 'mean' can refer specifically to the mathematical average., Using 'average' when something is below standard — average means typical, not poor.Confused with 'mean' as in average or mathematical average., Misused as an adjective without an object (e.g., 'She is mean' usually needs context)., Overused to describe minor annoyances rather than significant unkindness.Used interchangeably with 'average', which can be misleading in context., Confused with 'mediocrity', which is a noun., Overused in casual conversation, leading to a lack of impact.'Ordinary' confused with 'extraordinary' — they are opposites., Using 'ordinary' to describe positive experiences may seem negative., Misusing 'ordinary' as a verb.Confusing 'standard' with 'standards' (plural), Using 'standard' as a verb incorrectly, Misplacing the emphasis in pronunciation
Notes d'usageUse 'average' to describe something that is typical or normal. Avoid it in formal writing when more specific terms are appropriate.Use 'mean' when describing someone's unkind behavior. It is neutral but can be perceived as informal in some contexts. Avoid using it in formal settings or when discussing intentions.Typically used to describe performance, quality, or skill. Best avoided in formal contexts when possible; may be too negative in some situations.Use 'ordinary' to describe things that are normal or average. Avoid in contexts where something is rare or exceptional.Use 'standard' in contexts discussing quality or rules. It's appropriate in both academic and casual settings, but be careful with informal usages that might imply something is outdated.

Questions fréquentes : Average vs Mean vs Mediocre vs Ordinary vs Standard

Quelle est la différence entre Average, Mean, Mediocre, Ordinary et Standard ?

Average: Not special or better than others; typical. Mean: unpleasant or cruel; unkind. Mediocre: Not very good or bad; just okay Ordinary: Common or usual; not special or different. Standard: The usual or accepted level of something.

Average, Mean, Mediocre, Ordinary et Standard sont-ils au même niveau CEFR ?

Average: A2, Mean: A1, Mediocre: B1, Ordinary: A2, Standard: B1 sur l'échelle CEFR.

Quelle est la nature grammaticale de Average, Mean, Mediocre, Ordinary et Standard ?

Average: adjective, Mean: verb, Mediocre: adjective, Ordinary: adjective, Standard: noun.

Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?

Average: The average temperature in July is often quite high. Mean: What does this word mean in English? Mediocre: The movie received mediocre reviews from critics. Ordinary: The ordinary day turned extraordinary with a surprise party. Standard: The new model was built to meet industry standards.

Puis-je utiliser Average, Mean, Mediocre, Ordinary et Standard de façon interchangeable ?

Pas toujours. Average, Mean, Mediocre, Ordinary et Standard sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.

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