figure

FIG-yur/ˈfɪɡjɚ/UKFIG-uh/ˈfɪɡə/

Pluralfigures

Verbfigures, figuring, figured

30 meanings of figure

Practice

1
numbernouncountable
A number that shows an amount or value.
Like the total you see at the bottom of a receipt.
The final figure on the bill surprised everyone.
She wrote the figure down so she would not forget it.
UsageSay a figure of + amount. Six figures means a number with six digits, like 100,000.
Similaramount, sum, number, total
2
understandverbtransitive
To come to understand something, often after thinking about it.
Like fitting puzzle pieces together until you see the whole picture.
I finally figured out how the machine works.
Can you figure out what this sign means?
UsageUsually figure out: figure out how or why. Say figure it out (not ~~incorrect: figure out it~~).
Similarunderstand, fathom, grasp, crack
3
important personnouncountable
A person, most often one who is important, famous or powerful in some area of life or work.
She is an important figure in the world of fashion.
Many famous sports figures came to the opening of the new stadium.
UsageUsually with a word before it: a public figure, a leading figure in sport.
Similarpersonality, personage, luminary
4
supposeverbtransitive
To think or believe that something is probably true.
I figure it will rain later today.
He figured the store was already closed.
UsageUsually I figure + what you think: I figure it will rain. It means I suppose.
Similarreckon, suppose, guess, assume, think
Note
5
person in artnouncountable
A model, drawing, or carving of something, especially of a person.
She painted a figure of a dancer on the vase.
The artist shaped a clay figure with his hands.
Similarstatue, figurine, statuette, image, effigy
Note
6
diagramnouncountable
A picture, chart, or diagram in a book or report that helps explain something.
Look at the figure to see how the parts fit together.
Each figure in the book has a short caption.
UsageIn a book or report it often has a capital and a number: Figure 1.
Similardiagram, chart, illustration, graph
Note
7
body shapenouncountable
The shape of a person's body.
She still has the slim figure she had at twenty.
The dress fit her figure perfectly.
UsageOften a slim figure or a good figure. Keep your figure means stay slim.
Similarphysique, build, frame, form
8
shapenouncountable
The outline or form of something you can see.
Draw a figure with four equal sides on your paper.
The clouds formed the figure of a horse in the sky.
Similarshape, form, outline
Note
9
distant personnouncountable
Someone you can see only as an outline, because the person is far away or hard to see well.
A tall figure was standing at the end of the dark street.
We saw two small figures walking on the beach far below us.
UsageOften a distant figure or a dark figure that you can just make out.
Similarshape, silhouette, form
Note
10
calculateverbUStransitive
To work out an answer using numbers.
I need to figure how much paint we will need.
She figured the bill in her head.
UsageSay figure the total or figure the cost. Elsewhere people usually say work out.
Similarcalculate, compute, reckon, tally, solve
11
person as symbolnouncountable
A person or thing that stands for an idea or quality.
He became a figure of hope for the whole town.
To his young fans, the singer became a figure of freedom and rebellion.
UsageUsually a figure of + a feeling or idea: a figure of hope.
Similarsymbol, embodiment, emblem, personification, icon
12
play a partverbintransitive
To be one of the parts of something, or to take part in it.
Like being one of the players whose name is on the team list.
Money figures heavily in all of their decisions.
Several local artists figure in the new exhibition.
UsageUsually figure in something: money figures in every choice. Often with prominently or heavily.
Similarfeature, appear

Less common meanings

13
make senseverbUSintransitive
To make sense or seem likely, based on what you know.
It figures that traffic is bad on the one day I am late.
It doesn't figure that he would quit a job he loves.
UsageUsually It figures, said when something bad happens that you expected. It doesn't figure means it makes no sense.
14
digitnouncountable
A written sign that stands for a number, such as 5 or 7.
Write the figure 8 carefully so it does not look like a 3.
She drew a large figure 5 on the board.
UsageDouble figures means a number from 10 to 99.
Similarnumeral, digit
15
metaphornouncountable
A way of using or arranging words for effect, including metaphors, similes, and repetition.
Poets use figures such as metaphor to say more than plain words can.
Our teacher said a simile is a figure that uses 'like' or 'as'.
UsageMost often in a figure of speech. Alone, it is mostly used about poems and writing.
Similartrope, conceit
Note
16
dance movenouncountable
A set movement or group of steps in a dance.
The dancers performed a difficult figure in the middle of the waltz.
Each figure in the routine had to be timed perfectly.
Similarstep, move, movement, sequence
17
impressionnouncountable
The impression a person makes through how they act or what they achieve.
The mayor cut a fine figure in his new suit.
The tired team cut a sorry figure after the big loss.
UsageUsually cut a fine figure or cut a sorry figure: look good or bad to others.
Similarpresence
Note
18
musical phrasenouncountable
A short group of musical notes, often repeated, that you hear as one unit.
Like a short catchy bit of a song you can hum by itself.
The pianist repeated the same figure throughout the song.
That little figure gives the tune its catchy feel.
Similarmotif
Note
19
depictverbtransitive
To show something in a picture or drawing.
Like making a drawing of a real thing so people can see it.
In this old picture, the town is figured as it looked long ago.
In the church window, Saint George is figured killing a dragon.
Similardepict, portray, represent, picture, illustrate
20
verbtransitive
To stand for something else as a symbol or sign.
Like when a heart shape stands for love.
In the poem, the dove figures peace between the two nations.
Writers often figure death as a long, quiet sleep.
Similarsymbolize, represent, signify
21
pattern (wood)nouncountable or uncountable
A pattern you can see in wood, cloth, or other material.
The walnut tabletop had a beautiful figure.
Weavers prized the silk for its delicate figure.
Similarpattern, grain, design
22
verbtransitive
To decorate something with patterns or designs.
Like adding pretty patterns to a plain plate.
Her grandmother's old silk scarf is figured with tiny blue birds.
The curtains were figured with small red roses.
Similardecorate, adorn, ornament
23
add ornamentsverbtransitive
To add fancy extra notes to a piece of music.
Like adding sparkles and curls to plain handwriting.
In the last verse, the simple tune is figured with quick extra notes.
The right hand plays the same melody, but figured with many small added notes.
Similarembellish, ornament
Note
24
nounobsolete
A grand or impressive show in how someone looks or behaves.
that he may live in figure and indulgence
1729, William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy LifeHere, figure means a grand, impressive show, living in splendor.
Note
25
verbobsolete
To shape something into a form, or to make an image of it.
If love, alas! be pain; the pain I bear, / No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.
1709, Matthew Prior, “Henry and Emma.”Here, figure means to shape or picture something in the mind.
Similarshape, mold, form, fashion, picture
Note
26
verbobsolete
To show an amount by writing it in numbers.
Note
27
hint at futureverbobsolete
To be a sign of something that will happen later.
In this the heaven figures some event.
c. 1591, William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt,”Here, figures means shows a sign of something that will happen later.
His loftie browes in foldes, do figure death, And in their ſmoothneſſe, amitie and life:
c. 1587, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part
Note
28
noun
In astrology, a chart showing where the stars and planets sit at a certain time.
its quality, like those of all the rest, is determined by its position in the house of the astrological figure
1889, Franz Hartmann, The Principles of Astrological Geomancy
29
noun
In logic, the shape of an argument, set by where the shared middle term sits.
30
verb
To add numbers or symbols above or below a bass line to show which chords go with it.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of figure apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Old French from Latin figura meaning "form or shape," from a verb meaning "to form or mold."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

English figure came through Old French from Latin figura. en.wiktionary.org
Latin figura means form or shape. en.wiktionary.org
Latin figura derives from a verb meaning to form or mold. en.wiktionary.org