figure
figure — verb
1. to believe something is likely to happen or be true, based on the information yo
to believe something is likely to happen or be true, based on the information you have
Olivia figured the train would arrive before noon, so she did not rush.
figure + that-clause for predicting
We figure it will take about three hours to drive to the coast from here.
Diya figured her boss would offer her the position after the interview.
I figure Liam has already left for work, since his car is gone.
figure + that-clause: informal assumption
- figure + that
- figure + so
- doubt
expresses the opposite belief — that something is unlikely
Grammar Patterns
figure + that-clause
Usage Note
Common in everyday American speech rather than formal writing. The that-clause is often implied rather than stated: 'I figure so.'
Common Mistakes
2. to have a particular opinion about someone or something; to believe they are a c
to have a particular opinion about someone or something; to believe they are a certain kind of person or thing — for example, figuring a colleague as the best candidate for promotion or figuring a rule as unnecessary
Élise figured Nikos as the right person to lead the project.
figure + noun + as + [role]
Camila always figured her grandmother as the strongest person she knew.
The group figured the new dress code as too strict for a casual office.
figure + noun + as + [adjective complement]
Omar figured himself as someone who could fix almost anything around the house.
- figure + object + as
- be figured as
Grammar Patterns
figure + object + as + noun/adjective
Usage Note
Commonly uses 'as' to introduce the complement. Without 'as', the structure changes meaning — compare 'I figured him a liar' (sense 2, REGARD AS) with 'I figured he was lying' (sense 1, EXPECT).
Common Mistakes
3. to be an important part of something or to appear in a particular context, such
to be an important part of something or to appear in a particular context, such as an event, report, or discussion
The economy figured heavily in voters' decisions during the election.
figure + adverb + in [context]
Ayana's research figured prominently in the final report on climate change.
Putri's name did not figure in the list of award winners this year.
negative: did not figure in
Love and friendship figure large in Gabriela's novels and short stories.
collocation: figure large
- figure prominently
- figure heavily
- figure large
- figure in
- appear
neutral and more common; does not carry the same sense of importance
- feature
strongly similar; 'feature' suggests a planned or notable role
- play a part
more explanatory; used when introducing the idea for the first time
- be absent
the opposite of being included or appearing
Grammar Patterns
figure + adverb + in + noun
Usage Note
Often paired with an adverb ('largely', 'prominently', 'heavily') before the preposition 'in'. The phrase 'figure large' is a fixed collocation meaning 'be very important'.
Common Mistakes
4. to find a total or answer by doing arithmetic
to find a total or answer by doing arithmetic
Haruto figured the total cost of the trip before booking anything.
figure + [total/cost/amount]
The accountant quickly figured the tax using a simple table.
Can you figure how much paint we need for the living room?
figure + wh-clause
Eli figured the distance from his house to school in under a minute.
- figure the cost
- figure the total
- figure the distance
- estimate
to give an approximate answer rather than an exact calculation
Grammar Patterns
figure + amount / total / cost
Usage Note
In modern American English, the phrasal verb 'figure out' (discover the answer) is far more common than bare 'figure' for this sense. Bare 'figure' sounds slightly dated or very informal.
Common Mistakes
figure out
phrasal verbto understand something after thinking about it carefully, or to find an answer to a problem
It took Ayana two hours to figure out where the mistake was in the code.
Liam could not figure out why the car would not start on such a cold morning.
figure — noun
1. a written sign like 0, 1, 2, or 9 that is used to show a number, or a number tha
a written sign like 0, 1, 2, or 9 that is used to show a number, or a number that tells you the value, price, or amount of something.
The total figure on the receipt was over five thousand dollars.
figure + of + amount for total value
Min wrote the figure 7 on the board, then added a small zero beside it.
figure as numeral / written symbol
Karim checked the sales figures for the month and noticed a big jump.
sales figures as recorded amounts
Andrew added up the figures in his notebook and found a small mistake.
- sales figures
- population figures
- official figures
- a figure of
- in round figures
Grammar Patterns
figure + of + amount
a figure of [amount]
Usage Note
Often used in the plural (figures) when referring to official financial or statistical data.
Common Mistakes
2. the number of digits that make up a number, used especially in expressions that
the number of digits that make up a number, used especially in expressions that show how large or small an amount is, such as 'double figures' (10-99) or 'six figures' (100,000-999,999).
Her monthly salary finally reached five figures after the promotion.
five figures = 10,000 to 99,999
The company's profits have been in double figures for three years in a row.
in double figures = between 10 and 99 percent
Otis could not believe the damage was in five figures for such a small fire.
in + [adjective] + figures for cost range
The charity hoped to raise a six-figure sum for the new hospital wing.
six-figure sum = 100,000 to 999,999
- double figures
- single figures
- six figures
- five figures
- low figures
- high figures
Grammar Patterns
[quantity word] + figures
in + [adjective] + figures
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in fixed phrases with a preceding adjective (single, double, triple, low, high) or number word (five, six, seven). Not used alone — you cannot say 'It was figures' to mean 'it was a big number.'
Common Mistakes
3. a human form that is visible but not clearly seen, usually because the person is
a human form that is visible but not clearly seen, usually because the person is far away, in shadow, or in poor light.
Sana spotted a tall figure standing under the streetlamp in the fog.
figure as indistinct person shape
A dark figure moved quickly across the empty parking lot.
dark figure = person in shadow/low light
From the hilltop, Christopher could see the tiny figures of hikers on the trail below.
tiny figures = distant people seen as shapes
Sora thought he saw a human figure standing behind the curtain in the dark room.
- dark figure
- shadowy figure
- tall figure
- tiny figures
- figure in the distance
- shape
more general; does not specifically refer to a person
- outline
emphasises the edge or border of the form, not the person inside
- silhouette
more literary; a dark shape against a lighter background
Grammar Patterns
a figure + in/at/on [location]
4. a person, especially one who is well known or important in a particular area of
a person, especially one who is well known or important in a particular area of activity, such as politics, business, or the arts.
Élise interviewed several political figures for her article on the election.
figure in politics = important person
Henry was a key figure in the local community for over thirty years.
key figure = influential person
The event attracted public figures from the worlds of music and film.
public figures = well-known people
Olivia grew up surrounded by famous figures because her father worked in television.
- political figure
- public figure
- key figure
- leading figure
- historical figure
- figure in
- personality
focuses on fame and public recognition
- personage
more formal; suggests high status or historical importance
- character
less formal; can also mean an unusual or eccentric person
Grammar Patterns
[adjective] + figure
a figure in [field/area]
Common Mistakes
5. a visual depiction in a painting, drawing, photograph, or sculpture that shows a
a visual depiction in a painting, drawing, photograph, or sculpture that shows a human being or a creature.
A small wooden horse figure, carved long ago, stood in a museum display.
figure of [animal] = carved representation
In the corner of the painting, a tiny figure sits reading under a tree.
figure as person in painting
Asher bought a clay figure of a dancing woman at the craft market.
figure of [person] as sculpture
The children's book was full of colourful figures of animals wearing tiny clothes.
- clay figure
- wooden figure
- bronze figure
- figure of
- stick figure
- action figure
Grammar Patterns
a figure + of [person/animal]
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3: this sense refers to an artistic image or model, not a real person seen from a distance.
6. the shape of a person's body, especially a woman's body considered in terms of h
the shape of a person's body, especially a woman's body considered in terms of how slim, attractive, or fit it is.
Zola has been going to the gym to keep her figure in shape.
keep figure = maintain body shape
The dress was designed to show off the wearer's figure.
show off figure = display body shape
Madison was happy with her figure after months of regular exercise.
figure + possessive = personal body shape
Joon's yoga teacher told the class that good posture helps your figure.
- keep your figure
- lose your figure
- good figure
- slim figure
- hourglass figure
- show off your figure
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] + figure
keep/lose [possessive] + figure
Usage Note
Commonly used with possessive adjectives (her figure, my figure) and in fixed phrases about fitness or appearance. Can occasionally refer to a man's physique, but much more frequent for women.
Common Mistakes
7. a picture, drawing, or diagram in a book, report, or other document, usually giv
a picture, drawing, or diagram in a book, report, or other document, usually given a number so that readers can find it quickly
See Figure 3 on page 12 for a diagram of the heart.
numbered reference: Figure + number in instructions
The annual report includes several figures showing last year's sales growth.
Each chapter has numbered figures that help explain difficult scientific ideas.
collocation: numbered figures
The biology textbook has a helpful figure showing how the human heart pumps blood.
- Figure + number
- numbered figures
- see Figure
- as shown in Figure
- diagram
focuses on a technical drawing rather than any picture
- illustration
more general; can include photographs or artwork
- plate
usually a full-page image printed separately, often in colour
Usage Note
Usually capitalised when followed by a number (Figure 3, Figure A). Often abbreviated as Fig. in academic writing.
8. skill in working with numbers, especially the ability to add, subtract, multiply
skill in working with numbers, especially the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide correctly
Jiwoo is very good at figures and can calculate the total in seconds.
collocation: good at figures
The accounting job requires a solid grasp of figures to manage the monthly budget.
Otis struggled with figures at school until he started using maths games online.
collocation: struggled with figures
The cashier's error showed that his figures were not always reliable.
- good at figures
- weak in figures
- have a head for figures
- arithmetic
more formal; also refers to the school subject itself
- maths (UK) / math (US)
broader; includes algebra, geometry, etc.
- numeracy
formal term for the ability to understand and work with numbers
Usage Note
Frequently used in the plural without 'the' (good at figures, weak in figures). Less common in modern everyday speech than maths or arithmetic.
Common Mistakes
9. any shape that can be described in geometry, such as a circle, triangle, or squa
any shape that can be described in geometry, such as a circle, triangle, or square, whose outline follows a set of straight or curved lines
The children learned to draw basic figures like circles and squares in art class.
A triangle is a three-sided figure whose angles add up to 180 degrees.
collocation: three-sided figure
The students identified different geometric figures such as hexagons and parallelograms.
collocation: geometric figures
The architect drew several figures on the blueprint before choosing the final design.
- geometric figures
- solid figure
- plane figure
- three-sided figure
10. a set series of movements or steps forming a pattern, especially in ice skating,
a set series of movements or steps forming a pattern, especially in ice skating, dancing, or a similar performance
The skater performed a difficult figure on the ice during the competition.
collocation: performed a figure
The dance instructor showed the class a new figure that involved three quick turns.
Élise and Joaquín practised the same figure until their movements matched perfectly.
The coach asked the team to practise the opening figure until everyone had it right.
- perform a figure
- practise a figure
- figure skating
- compulsory figures
Usage Note
Strongly associated with figure skating (the sport), which takes its name from this sense. Often used with verbs like perform, practise, or learn.
figure of speech
idioma word or phrase that is used in a non-literal or imaginative way to create a special effect, such as a metaphor or simile.
When Anong said her bag weighed a ton, she was using a figure of speech.
Teachers often ask students to identify figures of speech in poetry.
public figure
idioma well-known person who is often seen in the media or discussed by the public, such as a politician, celebrity, or activist.
Sirin became a public figure after her campaign for clean water reached millions online.
As a public figure, he accepted that his private life would attract attention.
figure of fun
idioma person who is often laughed at or treated as a joke by other people.
The clumsy new student became a figure of fun among his classmates.
She was tired of being the figure of fun at office parties.
keep your figure
idiomto stay slim and avoid gaining weight, especially by dieting or exercising.
Caio's grandmother has always kept her figure by walking every morning.
After having children, she found it harder to keep her figure.
To be someone that other people laugh at or make jokes about.
After his fall on stage, he became a figure of fun.
Maya was a figure of fun at school because of her unusual hat.
cut a… figure
idiomTo have a particular appearance or look, often in a noticeable way.
Diego cut a striking figure in his new suit at the party.
She cut a lonely figure standing by the window in the rain.
facts and figures
idiomAccurate and detailed information, especially numbers or data.
The report contains all the facts and figures about the project.
Before investing, Brian asked for the facts and figures.
To state the exact price, number, or amount of something.
The manager could not put a figure on the cost of repairs.
Can you put a figure on how many people attended the concert?
Word family
- figurativeadjectiveB2
- figurativelyadverbB2
- figurinenounB2
- configurationnounC1
- configureverbB2
- disfigureverbC1
- disfigurementnounC1
- prefigureverbC1
- transfigureverbC1+
- figureheadnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/4
All five words describe a person, but they differ in nuance. A 'figure' (noun/4) is someone notable within a specific domain — often a political, historical, or cultural one — without implying fame in the popular sense ('a key figure in the peace talks'). A 'personality' is someone well-known for their personal qualities or media presence, typically in entertainment ('a TV personality'). 'Personage' is markedly formal and suggests high status or grandeur, often in historical writing ('the crowned personages of Europe'). 'Celebrity' centres on widespread public recognition, regardless of achievement ('she became a celebrity overnight'). 'Character' is less formal and can describe an unusual or amusing individual ('he was a real character'). Examples: 'Einstein is a towering figure in physics' vs. 'Einstein became a global celebrity after his theories made headlines.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- skating
- speech
- head
- eight
Adverbs
- clearly
- roughly
- approximately
Phrases
- figure of speech
- figure of fun
- go figure
- cut a figure
- father figure
Prepositions
- in
- as
- on
Etymology
From Latin 'figura' (shape, form, figure), derived from the verb 'fingere' (to shape, mould, form). Passed into English via Old French 'figure' in the 13th century, initially with the meaning of 'visible form or shape'. Over time the word developed parallel strands — mathematical, figurative, and personal — each branching from the core idea of 'something formed or shaped.'