figure

American  

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

noun

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)

figured, figuring

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)

figured, figuring

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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Related Words

See form.

Other Word Forms

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

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

The price tag is higher than what ING had expected and the figure that had been reported in the press, analyst Jason Kalamboussis writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“We’re not ready to come to you with a request; we’re still working on it. We’re working through to figure out what’s needed in this fiscal year versus next fiscal year,” Vought said.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

For drama plays, that figure was 72%, while musicals and dance each had reductions of almost 50%.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

And it’s not just the figure at the top that changes the dynamics: Catholicism is hot right now, at least in media coverage.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

“I’m just trying to figure out the goal. Why you need to do this at all. What you think will happen if you don’t.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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