metrics

IPA/mˈɛtɹɪks/
KK[mˈɛtrɪks]IPA/mˈɛtrɪks/

metrics — noun

1. the study of how stressed and unstressed syllables are arranged in poetry

1.nounC1
Definition

the study of how stressed and unstressed syllables are arranged in poetry

Example

Christopher is taking a graduate course in metrics this spring.

study subject: take a course in metrics

Nora found metrics difficult until her teacher clapped each beat aloud.

Common collocations
  • Greek metrics
  • English metrics
  • classical metrics
  • study metrics
  • a course in metrics
Synonyms
  • prosody

    a broader term covering rhythm, stress, and sound patterns in poetry

  • versification

    focuses more on the making and structure of verse than on the academic study itself

Grammar Patterns

study metrics

a course in metrics

Usage Note

Usually treated as a singular subject when it names the academic study, even though the form ends in -s. Distinguish this from sense 2, where metrics refers to several measurements and normally takes a plural verb.

Common Mistakes

Metrics are my hardest literature subject.
Metrics is my hardest literature subject.
as a field of study, metrics usually takes a singular verb.

2. measurements or numerical signs used to judge how well something is working

2.nounB2
Definition

measurements or numerical signs used to judge how well something is working

Example

The sales team checks weekly metrics before planning next month's campaign.

collocation: weekly metrics

Our app's key metrics improved after users found the checkout page faster.

collocation: key metrics

Common collocations
  • key metrics
  • weekly metrics
  • performance metrics
  • success metrics
  • track metrics
Synonyms
  • measures

    broader and less technical; it does not always suggest a formal tracking system

  • indicators

    often highlights signs that point to a trend rather than exact counts

  • benchmarks

    usually refers to target standards for comparison, not the numbers being tracked

Grammar Patterns

metrics show that-clause

track metrics

key metrics

Usage Note

Usually plural in business and technology writing. Distinguish this from sense 1, where metrics names a field of study, and use singular metric when you mean one individual measure.

Common Mistakes

This metrics shows the app is improving.
These metrics show the app is improving.
metrics is plural when you mean several performance measures.

3. rules in mathematics for telling how far apart two points or objects are

3.nounC1
Definition

rules in mathematics for telling how far apart two points or objects are

Example

In class, Diya learned how different metrics change the shape of a space.

different metrics in the same mathematical space

The paper compares two metrics for measuring distance between data points.

pattern: metrics for measuring distance

Common collocations
  • different metrics
  • compare metrics
  • graph metrics
  • metrics on a space
  • distance metrics
Synonyms
  • distance functions

    a more explicit technical label for rules that calculate distance

  • distance measures

    common in data science, though slightly broader than the strict mathematical sense

Grammar Patterns

different metrics

compare metrics

metrics for measuring distance

Usage Note

Common in mathematics and computer science. Use singular metric for one distance rule, and distinguish this sense from sense 2, where metrics means performance measurements.

Common Mistakes

We tested one metrics on the data set.
We tested one metric on the data set.
use singular metric for one mathematical distance rule.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

These words all help you talk about performance, but they focus on different things. 'Metrics' usually means the specific numbers a team tracks over time, often in business, education, or technology. 'Measures' is broader and can refer to either numbers or general ways of judging success. 'Indicators' often points to signs that suggest a trend or problem, even when the exact number matters less. 'Benchmarks' are comparison targets or standards, so they tell you what good performance should look like rather than naming the tracked numbers themselves.

measures ↗indicators ↗benchmarks ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • key metrics
  • performance metrics
  • success metrics
  • evaluation metrics

Phrases

  • track metrics
  • review metrics
  • according to the metrics

Prepositions

  • metrics for
  • metrics in
  • metrics on

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

Metrics comes from metric, which ultimately goes back to the Greek word 'metron', meaning 'measure'. In English, the plural form developed several specialized uses: for the study of poetic rhythm, for sets of performance measurements, and for mathematical rules of distance.