figure

American  

[fig-yer, fig-er] / ˈfɪg jər, ˈfɪg ər /

noun

• figures
  plural

1. a numerical symbol, especially an Arabic numeral.

   Synonyms:

   number

2. an amount or value expressed in numbers.

   Synonyms:

   price, total, sum

3. figures, the use of numbers in calculating; arithmetic.

   to be poor at figures.

4. a written symbol other than a letter.

5. form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces.

   to be round, square, or cubical in figure.

6. the bodily form or frame.

   a slender or graceful figure.

7. an individual bodily form or a person with reference to form or appearance.

   A tall figure stood in the doorway.

8. a character or personage, especially one of distinction.

   a well-known figure in society.

   Synonyms:

   personality

9. a person's public image or presence.

   a controversial political figure.

10. the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing.

    to make quite a figure in financial circles; to present a wretched figure of poverty.

11. a representation, pictorial or sculptured, especially of the human form.

    The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals.

12. an instructive or illustrative drawing or diagram, as found in a book or an owner’s manual.

    To attach the wheels to the base of the cabinet, see figure 4.

13. an emblem, type, or symbol.

    The dove is a figure of peace.

14. Rhetoric. a figure of speech.

15. a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood.

    draperies with an embossed silk figure.

16. a distinct movement or division of a dance.

17. a movement, pattern, or series of movements in skating.

18. Music. a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.

19. Geometry. a combination of geometric elements disposed in a particular form or shape.

    The circle, square, and polygon are plane figures. The sphere, cube, and polyhedron are solid figures.

20. Logic. the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.

21. Optics. the precise curve required on the surface of an optical element, especially the mirror or correcting plate of a reflecting telescope.

22. the natural pattern on a sawed wood surface produced by the intersection of knots, burls, growth rings, etc.

23. a phantasm or illusion.

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verb (used with object)

• figures,
  present (3rd person singular)
• figured,
  past participle,  past
• figuring
  present participle

1. to compute or calculate (often followed byup ).

   to figure up a total.

   Synonyms:

   reckon

2. to express in figures.

3. to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.

4. to portray by speech or action.

5. to represent or express by a figure of speech.

6. to represent by a pictorial or sculptured figure, a diagram, or the like; picture or depict; trace (an outline, silhouette, etc.).

7. Informal. to conclude, judge, reason, or think about.

   I figured that you wanted me to stay.

8. Music.

   1. to embellish with passing notes or other decorations.

   2. to write figures above or below (a bass part) to indicate accompanying chords.

verb (used without object)

• figures,
  present (3rd person singular)
• figured,
  past participle,  past
• figuring
  present participle

1. to compute or work with numerical figures.

2. to be or appear, especially in a conspicuous or prominent way.

   His name figures importantly in my report.

3. Informal. (of a situation, act, request, etc.) to be logical, expected, or reasonable.

   He quit the job when he didn't get a raise—it figured.

verb phrase

1. figure out

   1. to understand; solve.

      We couldn't figure out where all the money had gone.

   2. to calculate; compute.

2. figure on

   1. to count or rely on.

   2. to take into consideration; plan on.

      You had better figure on running into heavy traffic leaving the city.

3. figure up to total.

   The bill figures up to exactly $1000.

4. figure in to add in.

   Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.

idioms

1. cut a figure. cut.

figure British  

/ ˈfɪɡə, ˈfɪɡjər /

noun

1. any written symbol other than a letter, esp a whole number

2. another name for digit

3. an amount expressed numerically

   a figure of 1800 was suggested

4. (plural) calculations with numbers

   he's good at figures

5. visible shape or form; outline

6. the human form, esp as regards size or shape

   a girl with a slender figure

7. a slim bodily shape (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's figure )

8. a character or personage, esp a prominent or notable one; personality

   a figure in politics

9. the impression created by a person through behaviour (esp in the phrase to cut a fine, bold, etc, figure )

10. 1. a person as impressed on the mind

       the figure of Napoleon

    2. ( in combination )

       father-figure

11. a representation in painting or sculpture, esp of the human form

12. an illustration or explanatory diagram in a text

13. a representative object or symbol; emblem

14. a pattern or design, as on fabric or in wood

15. a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating

16. geometry any combination of points, lines, curves, or planes. A plane figure , such as a circle, encloses an area; a solid figure such as a sphere, encloses a volume

17. rhetoric See figure of speech

18. logic one of the four possible arrangements of the three terms in the premises of a syllogism Compare mood 2

19. music

    1. a numeral written above or below a note in a part See figured bass thorough bass

    2. a characteristic short pattern of notes

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verb

1. to calculate or compute (sums, amounts, etc)

2. informal (tr; usually takes a clause as object) to think or conclude; consider

3. (tr) to represent by a diagram or illustration

4. (tr) to pattern or mark with a design

5. (tr) to depict or portray in a painting, etc

6. (tr) rhetoric to express by means of a figure of speech

7. (tr) to imagine

8. (tr) music

   1. to decorate (a melody line or part) with ornamentation

   2. to provide figures above or below (a bass part) as an indication of the accompanying harmonies required See figured bass thorough bass

9. to be included

   his name figures in the article

10. informal (intr) to accord with expectation; be logical

    it figures that he wouldn't come

11. informal an expression of surprise, astonishment, wonder, etc

figure More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing figure

• ballpark figure
• in round numbers (figures)
• it figures

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Synonym Usage

See form.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• figurer
  noun
• subfigure
  noun
• outfigure
  verb (used with object)
• refigure
  verb (used with object)
• figurable
  adjective
• figureless
  adjective
• unfigurable
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• figures
  plural

Participles

• figuring
  present
• figured
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• figure
  simple
• figures
  simple
• have figured
  perfect
• has figured
  perfect
• am figuring
  progressive
• are figuring
  progressive
• is figuring
  progressive
• have been figuring
  perfect progressive
• has been figuring
  perfect progressive

Past

• figured
  simple
• had figured
  perfect
• was figuring
  progressive
• were figuring
  progressive
• had been figuring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will figure
  simple
• will have figured
  perfect
• will be figuring
  progressive
• will have been figuring
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of figure

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin figūra “shape, trope,” equivalent to fig- (base of fingere “to shape”) + -ūra -ure

Explanation

Anything with form has a certain shape, or figure, but we most often use the word to suggest a human’s form. That's why all those dolls are called "action figures" — they have the physical shape of people. In a broad sense, the noun figure can be used to suggest anything with a physical presence. In technical writings, pictures representing some concept are usually labeled as figures. A physically attractive woman is said to have a nice figure. We also say that a prominent person is a well-known figure. The word also can refer to a number, as in "a dollar figure." As a verb, the word suggests deciphering, as when you figure something out. Go figure.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

figure figures figured figuring

The CMS system had added the outstanding amount, and some arrears he had been disputing, to his continuing payments to come up with the new figure.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The rapper, who was just 25 when he died, was a key figure in a hip-hop rivalry pitting the East Coast against the West Coast.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

The most recent figure was 96.1% for the 2024-25 school year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

Graham earned just 33 percent of the vote, a rather light primary showing for a sympathetic figure emerging from loss who’s campaigning with the president’s endorsement.

From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2026

The first step was to figure out what about this event could be easily derailed.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

The wickets were shared in a fine all-round bowling effort by the Rockets as Adams finished with miserly figures of 2-9 and Phillips, the 23-year-old domestic seamer, impressed with 2-12.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

The “Thumbs Down” dishonor is the latest backlash against Smith from Black media figures and others.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

It’s a catchy idea that explains why figures like Peter Parker, Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter have a lasting hold on their fans in ways that other heroes don’t.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026

Its figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Torak peered at the figures hunched about the long-fire: twenty or thirty men and women, their faces starkly lit by the flames.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

"I hope to be able to do that one day, but I just haven't figured the time is right just yet," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

“We figured if Elvis can do it, why can’t we?” said spokeswoman Heather West.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

With a history of heart disease, he figured he might not get out of jail alive.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Up until a few years ago, when people started recognizing her for playing poker-faced attorney Kim Wexler on “Better Call Saul,” Seehorn would be standing in a store and customers figured she worked there.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

I figured I’d head the back way down to Liberty Creek to cool off.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Here, Russo discusses figuring out how to write a suspense novel, receiving a note that changed his career and grappling with the time he told his mother’s secrets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

This is your risk tolerance, and figuring that out is usually how financial advisers start the planning process in earnest, after getting down all your demographic information and calculating your current balance sheet.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026

The share of income tax assigned to each mayor could differ, but officials are still figuring out how it will work in practice.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

We spent every day figuring out how to make their golden years as comfortable and happy as possible.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

“He’s my kid. Of course he’s figuring it out ahead of whatever schedule you think most kids would be on.”

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• conclude
• determine
• discover
• fathom
• resolve
• see
• settle
• solve
• suppose
• think