analytics

IPA/ˌænəˈlɪtɪks/
KK[ˌænəlˈɪtɪks]IPA/ˌænəˈlɪtɪks/

analytics — noun

1. the use of computers, maths, and large sets of data to find patterns and measure

1.nounC1
Definition

the use of computers, maths, and large sets of data to find patterns and measure what is happening, especially in business, websites, or apps.

Example

Our online store uses analytics to see which ads bring paying customers.

use analytics to + verb

With better analytics, the hospital found longer waits on Monday mornings.

analytics for measuring performance

Common collocations
  • web analytics
  • customer analytics
  • sales analytics
  • analytics model
  • analytics team
Synonyms
  • data analysis

    broader and more general; not always focused on computer-based tracking

  • statistics

    can mean the numbers themselves or the subject of mathematics, not the whole business tool

  • measurement

    more general; stresses checking performance, not pattern-finding

  • tracking

    more informal; often focuses on watching changes over time

Grammar Patterns

use analytics to + verb

analytics + noun

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and often followed by a noun naming the area, such as 'web analytics' or 'sales analytics'. Use this sense for the method or field itself, not for the numbers it produces.

Common Mistakes

The analytics from last week helped us choose new ads.
The analytics results from last week helped us choose new ads.
if you mean the numbers or findings, use sense 2, not the method in sense 1.

2. the numbers, charts, and other findings that come out of this kind of computer s

2.nounC1
Definition

the numbers, charts, and other findings that come out of this kind of computer study.

Example

Yesterday's analytics showed a sharp drop in ticket sales after noon.

analytics showed + result

The campaign analytics from April are in a folder on Drive.

analytics from + source

Common collocations
  • campaign analytics
  • app analytics
  • website analytics
  • analytics dashboard
  • analytics report
Synonyms
  • figures

    more everyday; usually plain numbers without the idea of a system

  • metrics

    usually specific measures such as clicks, sales, or time spent

  • findings

    broader; can come from any investigation, not only data systems

  • results

    very general; does not specifically suggest numbers or charts

Grammar Patterns

analytics show + clause

analytics from + source

Usage Note

Often appears with verbs like 'show', 'suggest', 'reveal', or 'look'. Distinguish from sense 1: if you can replace it with 'results', 'figures', or 'numbers on the dashboard', this is sense 2.

Common Mistakes

Our analytics studies customer behavior every day.
Our analytics show customer behavior every day.
sense 2 is the information produced, so it behaves like results or figures, not like the study itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Analytics' usually suggests computer-based work that finds patterns and helps people make decisions, especially in business or technology. 'Data analysis' is broader and can describe any careful study of data, even small-scale work done by one person. 'Statistics' may mean either the numbers themselves or the mathematical subject behind them. 'Metrics' are the individual measures you track, such as sign-ups or watch time, not the whole process. 'Reporting' focuses on presenting information clearly, while 'analytics' often goes further by showing trends and relationships. A team might use analytics to discover why sales fell, track metrics like daily orders, and then create a report for managers.

analytics ↗data analysisstatistics ↗metrics ↗reporting ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • web analytics
  • business analytics
  • customer analytics
  • analytics software

Phrases

  • use analytics
  • work in analytics

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

This word grew out of 'analysis' and 'analytic'. Those words go back to ancient Greek, where a related verb meant 'to loosen' or 'break apart'. In modern English, 'analytics' developed as a noun for methods that break complex data into parts so people can measure it and spot patterns. Its current business and tech use became especially common with computers and digital tracking tools.