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figure
[ fig-yer; especially British fig-er ]
noun
- a numerical symbol, especially an Arabic numeral.
Synonyms: number
- an amount or value expressed in numbers.
- figures, the use of numbers in calculating; arithmetic:
to be poor at figures.
- a written symbol other than a letter.
- form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces:
to be round, square, or cubical in figure.
- the bodily form or frame:
a slender or graceful figure.
- an individual bodily form or a person with reference to form or appearance:
A tall figure stood in the doorway.
- a character or personage, especially one of distinction:
a well-known figure in society.
Synonyms: personality
- a person's public image or presence:
a controversial political figure.
- 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.
- a representation, pictorial or sculptured, especially of the human form:
The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals.
- 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.
- an emblem, type, or symbol:
The dove is a figure of peace.
- Rhetoric. a figure of speech.
- a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood:
draperies with an embossed silk figure.
- a distinct movement or division of a dance.
- a movement, pattern, or series of movements in skating.
- Music. a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.
- 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.
- Logic. the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
- Optics. the precise curve required on the surface of an optical element, especially the mirror or correcting plate of a reflecting telescope.
- the natural pattern on a sawed wood surface produced by the intersection of knots, burls, growth rings, etc.
- a phantasm or illusion.
verb (used with object)
- to compute or calculate (often followed by up ):
to figure up a total.
Synonyms: reckon
- to express in figures.
- to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.
- to portray by speech or action.
- to represent or express by a figure of speech.
- to represent by a pictorial or sculptured figure, a diagram, or the like; picture or depict; trace (an outline, silhouette, etc.).
- Informal. to conclude, judge, reason, or think about:
I figured that you wanted me to stay.
- Music.
- to embellish with passing notes or other decorations.
- to write figures above or below (a bass part) to indicate accompanying chords.
verb (used without object)
- to compute or work with numerical figures.
- to be or appear, especially in a conspicuous or prominent way:
His name figures importantly in my report.
- 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
- Informal.
- to understand; solve:
We couldn't figure out where all the money had gone.
- to calculate; compute.
- Informal.
- to count or rely on.
- to take into consideration; plan on:
You had better figure on running into heavy traffic leaving the city.
- Informal. to total:
The bill figures up to exactly $1000.
- to add in:
Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.
figure
/ ˈfɪɡə; ˈfɪɡjər /
noun
- any written symbol other than a letter, esp a whole number
- another name for digit
- an amount expressed numerically
a figure of 1800 was suggested
- plural calculations with numbers
he's good at figures
- visible shape or form; outline
- the human form, esp as regards size or shape
a girl with a slender figure
- a slim bodily shape (esp in the phrases keep or lose one's figure )
- a character or personage, esp a prominent or notable one; personality
a figure in politics
- the impression created by a person through behaviour (esp in the phrase to cut a fine, bold, etc, figure )
- a person as impressed on the mind
the figure of Napoleon
- ( in combination )
father-figure
- a representation in painting or sculpture, esp of the human form
- an illustration or explanatory diagram in a text
- a representative object or symbol; emblem
- a pattern or design, as on fabric or in wood
- a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
- 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
- rhetoric See figure of speech
- logic one of the four possible arrangements of the three terms in the premises of a syllogism Compare mood 2
- music
- a numeral written above or below a note in a part See figured bass thorough bass
- a characteristic short pattern of notes
verb
- whentr, often foll by up to calculate or compute (sums, amounts, etc)
- informal.tr; usually takes a clause as object to think or conclude; consider
- tr to represent by a diagram or illustration
- tr to pattern or mark with a design
- tr to depict or portray in a painting, etc
- tr rhetoric to express by means of a figure of speech
- tr to imagine
- tr music
- to decorate (a melody line or part) with ornamentation
- to provide figures above or below (a bass part) as an indication of the accompanying harmonies required See figured bass thorough bass
- intrusually foll byin to be included
his name figures in the article
- informal.intr to accord with expectation; be logical
it figures that he wouldn't come
- go figure informal.an expression of surprise, astonishment, wonder, etc
Derived Forms
- ˈfigurer, noun
- ˈfigureless, adjective
Other Words From
- fig·ur·a·ble adjective
- fig·ure·less adjective
- fig·ur·er noun
- out·fig·ure verb (used with object) outfigured outfiguring
- re·fig·ure verb (used with object) refigured refiguring
- sub·fig·ure noun
- un·fig·ur·a·ble adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of figure1
Idioms and Phrases
- cut a figure. cut ( defs 87, 88b ).
More idioms and phrases containing figure
- ballpark figure
- in round numbers (figures)
- it figures
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
As he, his wife Melissa and his doctors figured out his treatment plan, he was relieved to learn that the cancer had not spread to his bone marrow.
For me, it’s much easier to buy smaller quantities and make them last rather than buying too much of something and figuring out how to use it or make it last.
Rather than dwelling on Trump’s existential threat to democracy as they did after his win in 2016, the party is trying to figure out where they went wrong and where they go next.
A man still holds a valid driving licence despite having 229 penalty points, figures show.
The latest figures added to speculation that the US central bank might not lower rates as much as had been expected in the months ahead.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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