the bell curve

Meanings

1. 1nounsingulartechnical

   A graph shaped like a bell that shows a normal distribution, where most values cluster around the middle and fewer are at the extremes.

   Grammar: Used with 'the' when referring to the specific statistical concept; can be countable in phrases like 'a bell curve'.

   Patterns

   • on a bell curve
   • a bell curve distribution
   • the bell curve shows

   The test scores formed a bell curve, with most students getting around 70%.

   In a bell curve, the mean, median, and mode are all the same.

   The company's performance ratings follow a bell curve, so only a few employees get top marks.

2. 2nounsingularfigurative

   Used figuratively to describe a situation where most people or things are average and very few are at the extremes.

   Grammar: Often used with 'on': 'Most people fall in the middle of the bell curve.'

   Patterns

   • fall on the bell curve
   • the middle of the bell curve

   In terms of height, most people are in the middle of the bell curve.

   The debate about intelligence often refers to the bell curve of ability.

Word forms

Common combinations

a bell curve distribution

The data showed a bell curve distribution, not a flat line.

on a bell curve

Her score was right in the middle on the bell curve.

the bell curve of something

The bell curve of income shows most people earn around the average.

Synonyms and how they differ

normal distribution

The formal statistical term; 'bell curve' is the everyday name based on its shape.

Gaussian distribution

A more technical synonym used in advanced statistics.

Word family

bell-shaped adjective

Having the shape of a bell, as in a bell-shaped curve.

Commonly confused: the bell curve or bar chart?

Practice

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