Meaning & use
better than average
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
of a higher quality or standard than what is usual or typical
Grammar: Used after a linking verb (e.g. Her work is better than average) or before a noun with hyphens (e.g. a better-than-average result).
Patterns
- be better than average
- a better-than-average something
Her test scores were better than average for the class.
The hotel was better than average, with clean rooms and friendly staff.
He got a better-than-average salary for someone with his experience.
Common combinations
- well above average
- Her performance was well above average.
- slightly better than average
- The food was slightly better than average.
- better-than-average performance
- The team gave a better-than-average performance.
- better than average at something
- He's better than average at math.
Synonyms and how they differ
- above average
- This phrase is more neutral and often used in formal or academic contexts; 'better than average' is more direct and conversational.
- superior
- This adjective is stronger and more formal; it suggests a clear difference in quality, not just a slight one.
- excellent
- This means very good, much stronger than 'better than average'; it is not a direct comparison.
Opposites
Commonly confused: better than average or above average?
better than average vs above average
Both phrases compare to the usual standard, but 'above average' is more formal and often used in statistics or reports; 'better than average' is more informal and emphasizes quality.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'better than average' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option A uses the phrase correctly to mean the movie was of higher quality than usual. Option B is wrong because 'average of' is not used in this phrase; option C and D use incorrect prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “better than average”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.