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figure out

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fig⋅ure

  [fig-yer; especially Brit. fig-er] noun, verb, -ured, -ur⋅ing.
Use figure out in a Sentence
–noun
1. a numerical symbol, esp. an Arabic numeral.
2. an amount or value expressed in numbers.
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, esp. one of distinction: a well-known figure in society.
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, esp. of the human form: The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals.
12. an emblem, type, or symbol: The dove is a figure of peace.
13. Rhetoric. a figure of speech.
14. a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood: draperies with an embossed silk figure.
15. a distinct movement or division of a dance.
16. a movement, pattern, or series of movements in skating.
17. Music. a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.
18. 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.
19. Logic. the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
20. Optics. the precise curve required on the surface of an optical element, esp. the mirror or correcting plate of a reflecting telescope.
21. the natural pattern on a sawed wood surface produced by the intersection of knots, burls, growth rings, etc.
22. a phantasm or illusion.
–verb (used with object)
23. to compute or calculate (often fol. by up): to figure up a total.
24. to express in figures.
25. to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.
26. to portray by speech or action.
27. to represent or express by a figure of speech.
28. to represent by a pictorial or sculptured figure, a diagram, or the like; picture or depict; trace (an outline, silhouette, etc.).
29. Informal. to conclude, judge, reason, or think about: I figured that you wanted me to stay.
30. Music.
a. to embellish with passing notes or other decorations.
b. to write figures above or below (a bass part) to indicate accompanying chords.
–verb (used without object)
31. to compute or work with numerical figures.
32. to be or appear, esp. in a conspicuous or prominent way: His name figures importantly in my report.
33. 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 phrases
34. figure in, to add in: Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.
35. figure on, Informal.
a. to count or rely on.
b. to take into consideration; plan on: You had better figure on running into heavy traffic leaving the city.
36. figure out, Informal.
a. to understand; solve: We couldn't figure out where all the money had gone.
b. to calculate; compute.
37. figure up, Informal. to total: The bill figures up to exactly $1000.
—Idiom
38. cut a figure. cut (defs. 79, 80b).
Origin:
1175–1225; ME < OF < L figūra shape, trope, equiv. to fig- (base of fingere to shape) + -ūra -ure

Related forms:
fig⋅ur⋅a⋅ble, adjective
fig⋅ure⋅less, adjective
fig⋅ur⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. number. 2. sum, total; price. 5. See form. 8. personality. 23. reckon.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fig·ure   (fĭg'yər)   
n.  

    1. A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.

    2. figures Mathematical calculations: good at figures.

    3. An amount represented in numbers: sold for a large figure.

    4. Mathematics A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure.

    5. The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing.

    6. The shape or form of a human body.

    7. An indistinct object or shape: saw figures dashing down the street.

    8. A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.

    9. A person's public image or presence: became a tragic figure overnight.

    10. A diagram.

    11. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.

    12. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

    13. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

    1. Mathematics A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure.

    2. The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing.

    3. The shape or form of a human body.

    4. An indistinct object or shape: saw figures dashing down the street.

    5. A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.

    6. A person's public image or presence: became a tragic figure overnight.

    7. A diagram.

    8. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.

    9. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

    10. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

    1. A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.

    2. A person's public image or presence: became a tragic figure overnight.

    3. A diagram.

    4. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.

    5. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

    6. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

  4. Impression or appearance made: cuts a dashing figure.

  5. A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.

  6. A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.

    1. A diagram.

    2. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.

    3. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

    4. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

  8. An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.

    1. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

    2. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

  10. Music A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.

  11. Logic Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, depending on the position of the middle term.

v.   fig·ured, fig·ur·ing, fig·ures

v.   tr.

  1. Mathematics To calculate with numbers.

  2. To make a likeness of; depict.

  3. To adorn with a design or figures.

  4. Music

    1. To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bass line) to indicate harmony.

    2. To embellish with an ornamental pattern.

    3. To conclude, believe, or predict: I never figured that this would happen.

    4. To consider or regard: figured them as con artists.

  5. Informal

    1. To conclude, believe, or predict: I never figured that this would happen.

    2. To consider or regard: figured them as con artists.

v.   intr.

  1. Mathematics To calculate; compute.

    1. To be or seem important or prominent.

    2. To be pertinent or involved: politicians who figured in the scandal.

  3. Informal To seem reasonable or expected: It figures.

Phrasal Verb(s):
figure inTo include, as in making an account: figured in travel expenses.
figure on Informal

  1. To depend on: We figured on your support.

  2. To take into consideration; expect: I figured on an hour's delay.

  3. To plan: We figure on leaving at noon.

figure out Informal

  1. To discover or decide: Let's figure out a way to help.

  2. To solve or decipher: Can you figure out this puzzle?


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin figūra; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots.]
fig'ur·er n.
Synonyms: These nouns denote an element or a component in a decorative composition: a tapestry with a floral figure; a rug with a geometric design; a brooch with a fanciful and intricate device; a scarf with a heart motif; fabric with a plaid pattern. See Also Synonyms at calculate, form.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

figure  (n.)
c.1225, from O.Fr. figure, from L. figura "a shape, form, figure," from PIE *fig-, originally in Eng. with meaning "numeral," but sense of "form, likeness" is almost as old (c.1250). The verb meaning "to picture in the mind" is from 1603. Philosophical and scientific senses are from L. figura being used to translate Gk. skhema. Figurine is first attested 1854; a figurehead (1765) was originally the ornament on the bow of a ship; sense of "leader without real authority" is first attested 1883.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: fig·ure
Pronunciation: 'fig-y&r, Brit & often US 'fig-&r
Function: noun
1 : bodily shape or form especially ofa person figure>
2 a : the graphic representation of a form especially of a person b : a diagram or pictorial illustration of textualmatter
3 : a person who is representative of or serves as a psychological substitute for someone or something else —see FATHER FIGURE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

figure fig·ure (fĭg'yər)
n.

  1. A form or shape, as of the human body.

  2. A person representing the essential aspects of a particular role.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

figure out

  1. Discover or determine, as in Let's figure out a way to help. [Early 1900s]

  2. Solve or decipher, as in Can you figure out this puzzle? [Early 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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