A1 noun Neutral

statistics

/stəˈtɪstɪks/

Statistics are facts or information that are given in the form of numbers. It is also the science of collecting and studying these numbers to understand things better.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The statistics show that many people like to drink coffee in the morning.

The numbers show that many people enjoy coffee in the morning.

2

The government released the latest employment statistics this afternoon.

The government gave the newest information about jobs today.

3

Check out these cool stats about the game last night!

Look at these interesting numbers from the game yesterday.

Word Family

Noun
statistics
Adverb
statistically
Adjective
statistical
Related
statistician
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Stats' + 'Sticks'. You use 'stats' to make facts 'stick' to the paper so you don't forget them.

Quick Quiz

The ___ for the soccer game show that our team ran 10 kilometers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: statistics

Examples

1

The statistics show that many people like to drink coffee in the morning.

everyday

The numbers show that many people enjoy coffee in the morning.

2

The government released the latest employment statistics this afternoon.

formal

The government gave the newest information about jobs today.

3

Check out these cool stats about the game last night!

informal

Look at these interesting numbers from the game yesterday.

4

Statistics is a difficult but important subject for science students.

academic

The study of numbers is a hard but useful class for students.

5

Our sales statistics have improved every month this year.

business

Our record of sales has become better every month.

Word Family

Noun
statistics
Adverb
statistically
Adjective
statistical
Related
statistician

Common Collocations

official statistics numbers from a government or leader
collect statistics to gather numbers and information
show statistics to present or display data
population statistics numbers about people in an area
reliable statistics numbers that you can trust

Common Phrases

vital statistics

important numbers like births and deaths

descriptive statistics

numbers used to describe a group

lies, damned lies, and statistics

a phrase meaning numbers can be used to trick people

Often Confused With

statistics vs statistic

A 'statistic' is one single number, while 'statistics' is the whole group or the study itself.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'statistics' with a plural verb (e.g., 'The statistics are...') when referring to a collection of numbers. Use a singular verb (e.g., 'Statistics is...') when referring to the school subject or science.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use a plural verb when talking about the science (subject of study), but it should be singular in that case.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Stats' + 'Sticks'. You use 'stats' to make facts 'stick' to the paper so you don't forget them.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'status', meaning 'state', because it originally meant information about the state or country.

Grammar Patterns

Used as a singular noun for the field of study. Used as a plural noun for sets of data. Often followed by the preposition 'on' or 'about'.
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking countries, people are skeptical of statistics because they believe politicians use them to hide the truth.

Quick Quiz

The ___ for the soccer game show that our team ran 10 kilometers.

Correct!

The correct answer is: statistics

More science words

oxygen

A1

A gas with no color, taste, or smell that is necessary for all human and animal life. It makes up about 21 percent of the Earth's atmosphere and is essential for the process of breathing.

hydrogen

A1

Hydrogen is a chemical element that is the lightest and most common gas in the universe. It has no color or smell and combines with oxygen to make water (H2O).

nitrogen

A1

Nitrogen is a colorless and odorless gas that makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere. It is a chemical element that is essential for all living things to grow, especially plants.

polymer

A1

A polymer is a large molecule made of many smaller units that are connected in a long chain. These materials can be natural, like rubber or wood, or synthetic, like plastic and nylon.

prime number

A1

A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that cannot be made by multiplying other whole numbers. It can only be divided evenly by itself and the number 1.

ratio

A1

A ratio is a way to compare two amounts of things. It shows how much of one thing there is compared to another thing, like 2 parts water to 1 part juice.

perimeter

A1

The perimeter is the total distance around the outside edge of a shape or an area. In math and science, it is found by adding the lengths of all the sides of an object.

diameter

A1

The diameter is the length of a straight line that goes through the center of a circle or a round object, connecting two points on its edge. It is the measurement that tells you how wide a circle or sphere is at its widest point.

radius

A1

A radius is a straight line from the center of a circle to its outer edge. It is also used to describe the distance from a center point in any direction to mark an area.

circumference

A1

The circumference is the distance around the outside edge of a circle or a round object. It is a measurement that tells you how long the boundary of a round shape is.

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