Definitions for figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

fig•ureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər(n.; v.)-ured, -ur•ing.

(n.)a numerical symbol, esp. an Arabic numeral.
Category: Math
an amount or value expressed in numbers.
Category: Math
figures, the use of numbers in calculating; arithmetic.
a written symbol other than a letter.
the form or shape of something; outline.
the bodily form or frame:
a graceful figure.
a character or personage, esp. one of distinction:
a well-known figure in society.
the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing.
a representation, pictorial or sculptured, esp. of the human form.
Category: Fine Arts
an emblem, type, or symbol:
The dove is a figure of peace.
a figure of speech.
Category: Rhetoric
a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood.
Category: Fine Arts
a distinct movement or division of a dance.
Category: Music and Dance
a movement or series of movements in skating.
Category: Sport
a short succession of musical notes, as either a melody or a group of chords, that produces a single complete and distinct impression.
Category: Music and Dance
a combination of geometric elements disposed in a plane shape or solid form, as a circle, polygon, or sphere.
Category: Math
Logic. the form of a categorical syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Category: Philosphy
(v.t.)to compute or calculate (often fol. by up):
to figure up a total.
to express in figures.
to mark or adorn with a design or pattern.
Category: Fine Arts
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.).
Category: Fine Arts
Informal. to conclude, judge, reason, or think:
I figured that you wanted me to stay.
Category: Informal
(v.i.)to compute or work with numerical figures.
Category: Math
to be or appear:
Your name figures importantly in my report.
Informal. to be logical, expected, or reasonable: It figures: when I have the time to travel, I don't have the money.
Category: Informal
figure on, to count or rely on. to take into consideration; plan on.
Category: Verb Phrase, Informal
figure out, to understand; solve. to calculate; compute.
Category: Verb Phrase, Informal

Origin of figure:

1175–1225; ME < OF < L figūra shape, trope, der. of fingere to shape

fig′ur•er(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

figure, fig(noun)
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
"the area covered can be seen from Figure 2"
human body, physical body, material body, soma, build, figure, physique, anatomy, shape, bod, chassis, frame, form, flesh(noun)
alternative names for the body of a human being
"Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
digit, figure(noun)
one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration
"0 and 1 are digits"
figure(noun)
a model of a bodily form (especially of a person)
"he made a figure of Santa Claus"
name, figure, public figure(noun)
a well-known or notable person
"they studied all the great names in the history of France"; "she is an important figure in modern music"
figure(noun)
a combination of points and lines and planes that form a visible palpable shape
figure(noun)
an amount of money expressed numerically
"a figure of $17 was suggested"
figure(noun)
the impression produced by a person
"he cut a fine figure"; "a heroic figure"
number, figure(noun)
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
"he had a number of chores to do"; "the number of parameters is small"; "the figure was about a thousand"
trope, figure of speech, figure, image(noun)
language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
figure(noun)
a unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground
design, pattern, figure(noun)
a decorative or artistic work
"the coach had a design on the doors"
figure(verb)
a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
"she made the best score on compulsory figures"
calculate, estimate, reckon, count on, figure, forecast(verb)
judge to be probable
figure, enter(verb)
be or play a part of or in
"Elections figure prominently in every government program"; "How do the elections figure in the current pattern of internal politics?"
visualize, visualise, envision, project, fancy, see, figure, picture, image(verb)
imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind
"I can't see him on horseback!"; "I can see what will happen"; "I can see a risk in this strategy"
calculate, cipher, cypher, compute, work out, reckon, figure(verb)
make a mathematical calculation or computation
figure(verb)
understand
"He didn't figure her"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

figure(verb)ˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
to think sth is true or will happen
I figured (that) he was too embarrassed to show up.
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
indicates you think sth is likely or not surprising
"He's not here." "Yeah, that figures - he hates these events."
figure(noun)ˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
a calculated number or amount; = number
What are the figures for sales last year?
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
to say how much sth will cost
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
a numeral
Write the number in words and figures.
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
a person or type of person
In the dark she saw a figure coming towards her.; important figures in American history
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
sb's body shape
a youthful figure
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
(in math) a shape
a 2D figure
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
a diagram showing information
Refer to figure 3 on page 56.
figureˈfɪg yər; esp. Brit. ˈfɪg ər
a phrase that uses figurative language
To say you feel "like a fish out of water" is a figure of speech.

Wiktionary

figure(Noun)
A drawing or representation conveying information.
figure(Noun)
A person or thing representing a certain consciousness.
figure(Noun)
A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of human body.
figure(Noun)
A numeral.
figure(Noun)
A number.
figure(Noun)
A shape.
figure(Noun)
A visible pattern as in wood or cloth.
figure(Noun)
A dance figure.
figure(Noun)
A figure of speech.
figure(Verb)
To solve a mathematical problem.
figure(Verb)
To come to understand.
I can't figure if he's telling the truth or lying.
figure(Verb)
to be reasonable
figure(Verb)
to enter, be a part of

Origin: From figure, from figure, from figura, from fingere

Webster Dictionary

Figure(noun)
the form of anything; shape; outline; appearance
Figure(noun)
the representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble
Figure(noun)
a pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure
Figure(noun)
a diagram or drawing; made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a surface or space inclosed on all sides; -- called superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when inclosed by surface; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc
Figure(noun)
the appearance or impression made by the conduct or carrer of a person; as, a sorry figure
Figure(noun)
distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show
Figure(noun)
a character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc
Figure(noun)
value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure
Figure(noun)
a person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative
Figure(noun)
a mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any deviation from the plainest form of statement
Figure(noun)
the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term
Figure(noun)
any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer
Figure(noun)
a horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses
Figure(noun)
any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression
Figure(noun)
a form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical or motive; a florid embellishment
Figure(noun)
to represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape
Figure(noun)
to embellish with design; to adorn with figures
Figure(noun)
to indicate by numerals; also, to compute
Figure(noun)
to represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize
Figure(noun)
to prefigure; to foreshow
Figure(noun)
to write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords
Figure(noun)
to embellish
Figure(verb)
to make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court
Figure(verb)
to calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination