statistic

statistic — noun

1. numerical facts gathered by studying a large number of people, events, or things

1.nounB2
Definition

numerical facts gathered by studying a large number of people, events, or things — used to reveal patterns, trends, or conditions about a subject, such as the percentage of people who own homes in a given country.

Example

The latest employment statistics show a drop of two percent since last year.

statistics show + [result]

According to government statistics, more than seventy percent of households now own a pet.

according to statistics

Common collocations
  • crime statistics
  • unemployment statistics
  • government statistics
  • official statistics
  • according to statistics
  • statistics show
  • statistics indicate
Synonyms
  • data

    broader term — can include non-numerical information; 'statistics' specifically implies numerical facts

  • figures

    informal synonym for numbers, often used in business or reporting contexts

  • numbers

    more general and everyday; less technical than 'statistics'

Grammar Patterns

statistics + verb (plural)

statistics on + [topic]

according to statistics

Usage Note

Typically used in the plural form 'statistics' when referring to a collection of numerical data. Unlike sense 3, which refers to a single figure, this sense describes a whole set of numbers. The verb that follows is plural: 'The statistics indicate…'

Common Mistakes

The statistic show that 60% of students passed.
The statistics show that 60% of students passed.
Use the plural 'statistics' when referring to a collection of data, not 'statistic.'
Statistics is gathered from many sources.
Statistics are gathered from many sources.
When 'statistics' means 'data,' use a plural verb. Only use a singular verb for the academic field (sense 2).

2. the branch of mathematics that deals with collecting, organising, and interpreti

2.nounB2
Definition

the branch of mathematics that deals with collecting, organising, and interpreting numerical information in order to make informed judgements or predictions.

Example

Élise is taking a course in statistics to support her environmental research project.

course in statistics

Zuri's statistics professor taught the class how to identify misleading graphs in news articles.

Common collocations
  • applied statistics
  • mathematical statistics
  • study statistics
  • a degree in statistics
  • statistics professor
  • statistics course
Synonyms
  • data science

    a newer, broader field that includes computing and machine learning alongside statistics

  • mathematical analysis

    much broader; covers all of mathematics, not just data-oriented methods

Grammar Patterns

statistics + verb (singular)

a course in statistics

study statistics

Usage Note

When referring to the academic field, 'statistics' takes a singular verb: 'Statistics is a core subject in many degree programmes.' This contrasts with sense 1, where 'statistics' as 'collected data' takes a plural verb.

Common Mistakes

Statistics are a difficult subject for many students.
Statistics is a difficult subject for many students.
When 'statistics' means the academic field, it is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

3. a single piece of numerical information that tells you something about a situati

3.nounB1
Definition

a single piece of numerical information that tells you something about a situation or group — for example, the exact number of tourists who visited a country last year.

Example

Felipe pointed to a shocking statistic — one in three children in the region do not have enough food.

a [adjective] statistic — [explanation]

Hui shared a statistic about teen reading habits: students average six hours a week on books.

a statistic about + [topic]

Common collocations
  • startling statistic
  • shocking statistic
  • key statistic
  • alarming statistic
  • statistic about
  • single statistic
Synonyms
  • data point

    more technical; used in research and scientific contexts

  • number

    simpler and more general; 'statistic' implies the number is informative or noteworthy

  • figure

    common in journalism and reports; slightly more formal than 'number'

Grammar Patterns

a + statistic

this + statistic

statistic about + [topic]

Usage Note

This is the countable form — it can be used with 'a' or 'an' and has a regular plural ('statistics'). Frequently paired with evaluative adjectives such as 'shocking,' 'alarming,' 'interesting,' or 'key.' Distinguish from sense 1, where 'statistics' is a mass noun referring to an entire set of data, not a single number.

Common Mistakes

He showed me a statistics about car accidents.
He showed me a statistic about car accidents.
Use the singular 'a statistic' for one piece of data; 'statistics' is the plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to information, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Data' is the broadest term — it can include any type of information (text, images, measurements) and is commonly used in research and technology. 'Statistics' specifically implies numerical data that has been systematically collected, often with the aim of showing patterns or trends. 'Figures' is a more informal term used especially in business and journalism ('sales figures'), and it suggests numbers presented in a report or table. 'Numbers' is the most everyday word and can refer to any numerical value regardless of context. For example, a researcher collects 'data' from experiments, the 'statistics' show the overall pattern from that data, the quarterly 'figures' are released to investors, and the raw 'numbers' are written on a whiteboard during a team meeting.

data ↗figuresnumbersfacts

Common collocations

Nouns

  • statistics office
  • statistics department
  • statistics report
  • statistics bureau

Adverbs

Phrases

  • according to statistics
  • statistics indicate that
  • statistics show that
  • statistics suggest that

Prepositions

  • statistics on
  • statistics about
  • statistics for

Etymology

LatinItalianGermanEnglish

The word comes from the Latin 'statisticus,' meaning 'of state affairs,' which in turn comes from Italian 'statista' (statesman). In the 1700s, German scholars used 'Statistik' to describe the systematic study of state data — population, resources, and economics. By the 1800s, the meaning shifted from 'state-related data' to 'numerical facts about any topic,' and the field of statistics as we know it today was born.