Meaning & use
stats
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“stats” is a form of “stat”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralinformal
Numbers that show facts about something, such as results, amounts, or performance.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun: the stats show, the stats are. It can refer to one set of figures but still takes a plural verb.
Patterns
- the stats show something
- check the stats
- stats on something
The stats show that more people are cycling to work this year.
Before you argue, look at the stats on the screen.
Her scoring stats improved a lot after the new coach arrived.
noununcountableinformal
Short for statistics, the school or university subject about collecting and studying numbers.
Grammar: Used like a subject name, often in 'a stats class' or 'study stats'; no plural meaning here.
Patterns
- a stats class
- study stats
- a stats exam
I have a stats class at nine tomorrow morning.
He failed stats last semester and has to retake it.
nounpluralinformalmedical
Medical information measured about a patient, especially blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
Grammar: Common in hospital speech: check someone's stats, the stats are stable.
Patterns
- check someone's stats
- someone's stats are stable
The nurse came in to check his stats every hour.
Her stats were stable, so the doctor allowed visitors.
Word forms
| singular | stat |
|---|---|
| plural | stats |
Common combinations
- the stats show
- The stats show a clear drop in accidents.
- check the stats
- Check the stats before you make a claim.
- stats class
- I can't meet then; I have stats class.
- personal stats
- The app tracks your personal stats over time.
- stats on something
- Do you have any stats on unemployment?
Synonyms and how they differ
- statistics
- More formal and can be singular or plural; use it in reports and academic writing, not in casual chat.
- figures
- Often means official numbers in business or government contexts, and sounds more neutral than the informal 'stats'.
- data
- A wider word for collected information, not only numbers, and it is more formal.
Word family
- statistic noun
- A single piece of numerical information.
- statistical adjective
- Relating to statistics or the study of numbers.
- statistician noun
- A person who works with statistics.
Commonly confused: stats or stat?
stats vs stat
The singular form means one number or, in medical contexts, an immediate instruction; 'stats' is the plural and the usual informal word for a set of numbers.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Stats' is a plural noun, so it takes a plural verb: 'the stats show'. Option A uses a singular verb, and option D treats it as singular.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “stats”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.