noun, verb, -ured, -ur⋅ing.| 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. |
| 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.
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| 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. |
| 34. | figure in, to add in: Figure in rent and utilities as overhead. |
| 35. | figure on, Informal.
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| 36. | figure out, Informal.
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| 37. | figure up, Informal. to total: The bill figures up to exactly $1000. |
| 38. | cut a figure. cut (defs. 79, 80b). |
figure fig·ure (fĭg'yər)
n.
A form or shape, as of the human body.
A person representing the essential aspects of a particular role.