figure

A number that shows an amount, price, or measurement.

• The figures show higher sales.
• Can you give me an exact figure?
• Her salary is a six-figure sum.

How to use it: a figure of something (They reported a figure of ten thousand.)

Similar words: number, amount

Common phrases: sales figure, exact figure, figure of something

A person known for their role or importance in a particular area.

• He is a famous political figure.
• Several public figures attended the ceremony.
• She became a major figure in British science.

How to use it: a figure in something (She is a leading figure in medicine.)

Similar words: personality, person

Common phrases: public figure, leading figure, political figure

A person seen mainly as a shape, especially from far away or in poor light.

• A figure stood by the gate.
• Two dark figures crossed the field.
• She could barely see his figure in the fog.

Similar words: shape, silhouette

Common phrases: dark figure, distant figure, hooded figure

A numbered picture or diagram that explains something in a book or article.

• See Figure 2 for details.
• The figure shows how water flows.
• All figures have captions below them.

Similar words: illustration, diagram

Common phrases: see figure, figure caption, figure below

A picture, model, or carving of a person, animal, or other shape.

• A wooden figure stood on the shelf.
• The artist painted three human figures.
• Small animal figures decorated the bowl.

Similar words: representation, image

Common phrases: bronze figure, human figure, carved figure

A shape, such as a circle or square, studied in mathematics.

• Draw a figure with three sides.
• These figures all have equal areas.
• A cube is a solid figure.

Similar words: shape

Common phrases: geometric figure, plane figure, solid figure

To understand something after thinking about it.

• I can't figure out this puzzle.
• She figured out why the lights were off.
• We'll figure it out together.

How to use it: figure out something (We figured out the answer.); figure something out (I can't figure it out.); figure out how to do something (She figured out how to open the box.)

Similar words: work out, understand, solve

Common phrases: figure something out, figure out why, figure out how

To think something is probably true.

• I figure she's about forty.
• We figured you would need help.
• Do you figure the shop is still open?

How to use it: figure that… (I figured that you were busy.)

Similar words: think, suppose, reckon, assume

Common phrases: figure that, figure someone will