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figure Definition

fig·ure (fig′yər, -yo̵or; often, esp. for v., & Brit always, fig′ər)

noun

  1. the outline or shape of something; form
  2. the shape of the human body; human form
  3. a person, esp. one seen or thought of in a specified way a great social figure
  4. a likeness or representation of a person or thing
  5. an illustration; diagram; picture; drawing
  6. an artistic design in fabrics, etc.; pattern
    1. the symbol for a number the figure 5
    2. calculation with such symbols; arithmetic very good at figures
  8. a sum of money
  9. Dancing, Skating a series or pattern of steps or movements
  10. Geom. a surface or space bounded on all sides by lines or planes
  11. Logic the form of a syllogism with reference to the use of the middle term as variously the subject or the predicate of the premises
  12. Music a series of consecutive tones or chords forming a distinct group which with other similar groups completes a phrase or theme; motif
  13. Rhetoric figure of speech

Etymology: ME < OFr < L figura < fingere, to form, shape: see dough

transitive verb -·ured, -·ur·ing

  1. to represent in definite form; give a shape to
  2. to represent mentally; imagine
  3. to ornament with a design
  4. to compute with figures
  5. Informal to believe; consider; decide
  6. Music to indicate chords for (the bass) by writing the appropriate figures next to the notes

Etymology: ME figuren < the n.

intransitive verb

    1. to appear, often prominently: with in you figure in all my dreams
    2. to be a causal factor: with in poor food figured in his ill health
  2. to do arithmetic
  3. ☆ Informal to consider; calculate
  4. ☆ Informal to be just as expected or as anticipated

figure Related Forms

fig′·urer noun

figure Idioms

figure in

☆ to add in; include

figure on

☆
  1. to count on; rely on
  2. to consider as part of a scheme or project; plan on

figure out

☆
  1. to solve; compute
  2. to understand; reason out

figure up

☆

to add; total

figure Synonyms

figure

n.

  1. A form

    shape, mass, structure; see form 1.

  2. The human torso

    body, frame, torso, shape, form, development, configuration, build, physique, appearance, outline, posture, attitude, pose, carriage, chassis*, bod*. *

  3. An arrangement of lines, masses, and the like

    illustration, sketch, composition, pattern; see design 1, picture 3, statue.

  4. A representation of quantity

    numeral, sum, total, symbol; see number 2, symbol.

  5. Price

    value, amount, sum, terms; see price.

  6. A person

    character, personage, personality; see person 1, personage 2. See syn. study at form.

figure Synonyms

figure

v.

  1. To compute

    calculate, reckon, number, count; see calculate 1.

  2. To estimate

    set a figure, appraise, guess, fix a price; see estimate 1.

  3. *To come to a conclusion

    conclude, suppose, think, opine; see decide, estimate 2, infer 1.

  4. To figure out

    comprehend, master, reason out; see solve, understand 1.

figure Usage Examples

Preposition: in

foreground: There is a ruminating figure in the foreground surrounded by a sea of faces.

Converse of object

  • publish: Figures published by Halifax imply that the upward trend is not yet over.
  • quote: Judging by the figures quoted above, that estimate is probably too low.
  • release: Their two children new figures released also generously donated.
  • lead: The Awards were presented to the broadcasters in Edinburgh by Kirsty Young and attended by leading figures from the broadcasting industry.
  • calculate: Estimated figure calculated on an average of 13 tons of goods carried per truck.
  • see: I see you and I see the number seven and I see the figure of death.

Followed by an intransitive particle

out: First, you want to figure out where you are going to get your car finance.

Adjective modifier

  • leading: George Galloway is the leading figure in Respect - he also heads our London list for the EU elections.
  • late: Latest figures out this week showed that more people than ever are quitting using NHS Stop Smoking Services.
  • prominent: For nearly twenty years now, Spike Lee has been Black America's most prominent cultural figure.
  • influential: Elite racism Elite racism is reproduced at a national level through the media, the government and other influential figures.
  • historical: Historical Figure 's Life Story in Pictures: Father David, who brought Chinese deer to Europe.

Noun used with modifier

  • attendance: Episode 6 ( 14 FEB 91 ) " Assassin " Attendance figures for the Leisure Center are far too low.
  • unemployment: The Blair government reduced the unemployment figures by using intimidation at the job centers.
  • father: Lack of father figure - no male role model - failing boys.
  • crime: The overall street crime figures for West Yorkshire show a small overall rise.
  • inflation: These price falls counterbalanced rising energy and services costs, to keep average inflation figures benign.