figure

[ fig-yer; especially British fig-er ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, fig·ured, fig·ur·ing.

1. to compute or calculate (often followed by up ):

   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)

, fig·ured, fig·ur·ing.

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. Informal.
   1. to understand; solve:

      We couldn't figure out where all the money had gone.

   2. to calculate; compute.
2. Informal.
   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. Informal. to total:

   The bill figures up to exactly $1000.

4. to add in:

   Figure in rent and utilities as overhead.

figure

/ 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

verb

1. whentr, often foll by up 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. intrusually foll byin 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. 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

Origin of figure¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of figure¹

C13: from Latin figūra a shape, from fingere to mould

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cut a figure. cut ( defs 87, 88b ).

More idioms and phrases containing figure

• ballpark figure
• in round numbers (figures)
• it figures

Synonym Study

See form.

Example Sentences

“When you’re 16 and you don’t really like yourself, and you’re trying to figure out what the hell is gong on in your body and your makeup and your hormones, and people are telling you that you’re not good enough — that weight is so heavy,” Sweeney said at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Little is explained but much can be guessed about Rogowski’s character, whom the great German actor can’t help but make into a mesmerizing figure of storybook fragility.

From Los Angeles Times

And, like last year, it doesn’t seem to be too tough to figure out.

From Los Angeles Times

The American president is, after all, the commander in chief of the world’s most formidable fighting machine, and the figure ultimately responsible for the nation’s safety and security.

From Los Angeles Times

Pennycook rejected the figure, saying it did not take account of more than £300m raised in business rates and an expected £300m in additional new housing.

From BBC

Related Words

• amount
• character
• cost
• number
• price
• rate
• sum
• symbol
• total