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Data

DAY-tuh, DAH-tuh /ˈdeɪtə/, /ˈdɑːtə/

nounB1IELTSTOEFLGRESAT

generalformaltechnical

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

Data can be raw, unprocessed facts, or it can be organized information. It's the raw material for statistics and analysis. While historically treated as plural ('these data are'), it's increasingly used as a singular mass noun ('this data is') in common usage, especially in computing.

The story behind the word. The word 'data' comes directly from the Latin word 'data,' which is the plural form of 'datum,' meaning 'something given.' In Latin, 'datum' is the past participle of 'dare,' 'to give.' So, data literally means 'things given' or 'things that have been given.' This perfectly describes the raw facts and figures that are 'given' to us for analysis.

Word relationships

information: Information is often processed or interpreted data; data is typically the raw facts.
facts: Facts are individual pieces of verifiable truth; data is a collection of such facts, often numerical.

Commonly confused with

Opinion: Data consists of objective facts and statistics, while an opinion is a subjective belief or judgment.

Word family

datum (noun): A single piece of information (the singular form of data, though rarely used).
database (noun): An organized collection of data.

Collocations

collect data
analyze data
raw data
quantitative data
qualitative data
big data

Example sentences

"The scientists collected extensive data on climate patterns over the last century." Referring to collected information.
"Before any conclusions could be drawn, the raw data needed to be cleaned and organized." Discussing its processing.
"Big data analytics is transforming industries from healthcare to marketing." Highlighting its importance.

Memory hook

Think of 'DATA' as 'DAta Are The Answers' (if you remember it's plural) or 'DAta Are The Facts'. Given-facts

When not to use

Avoid using 'data' to refer to abstract ideas or opinions that are not quantifiable facts. Be mindful of whether you intend it as singular or plural, especially in formal writing.

Fun facts

The shift from 'data' as a plural noun to a singular mass noun is a relatively recent linguistic change, driven largely by its use in computer science.
The first recorded use of 'data' in English was in the 1640s.

Explore more words

Dataset, Database, analytics, collection, Visualization