figure
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a number or an amount of money.
n.a numerical symbol or an amount expressed in numbers.
Simple“The company's sales figures were much higher than we expected this year.”
In context“The finance director presented the final quarterly figures, highlighting a significant discrepancy between projected revenue and actual cash flow.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the shape of a person's body, especially when talking about how thin or fit they are.
n.the external form or silhouette of a human body.
Simple“She exercises every morning to keep her figure.”
In context“The tailor noted that the jacket was cut to flatter a more athletic figure, with broader shoulders and a tapered waist.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a person who is well-known or important in a particular area.
n.an individual who is prominent or well-known in a specific field or context.
Simple“He was a leading figure in the local art community for many years.”
In context“The prime minister remains a controversial figure, admired by some for her economic reforms and criticised by others for her social policies.”
Synonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a picture, diagram, or map in a book that gives you information.
n.an illustrative drawing, diagram, or chart within a text, typically numbered for reference.
Simple“Please look at figure 2 on page 15 to see the map of the area.”
In context“The author refers the reader to figure 4.1, which provides a detailed cross-section of the geological layers discussed in the chapter.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a short pattern of notes that is repeated in a piece of music.
n.a short succession of notes or a rhythmic pattern that forms a distinct musical idea.
Simple“The opening musical figure is repeated by the violins throughout the song.”
In context“The composer employs a recurring chromatic figure in the lower strings to create a sense of mounting tension before the final resolution.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to work out a total or solve a math problem.
v.to calculate or compute a numerical result.
Simple“I need to figure the total cost of the trip before I book the flight.”
In context“After figuring the interest rates and tax implications, the accountants advised against the immediate sale of the property.”
- 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to believe or expect that something is true.
v.to conclude, suppose, or consider something to be the case.
Simple“I figured you would be hungry after your long walk, so I made some sandwiches.”
In context“The detective figured that the suspect would try to leave the country as soon as the news of the investigation broke.”
- 08 C1 Advanced
v.to be an important part of a process or situation.
v.to play a significant role or be a prominent part of something.
Simple“Environmental issues will figure largely in the next election.”
In context“The need for sustainable energy sources figured prominently in the international summit's final declaration.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'in'.
Usage comparable figure · corresponding figure · following figure
From Middle English figure, borrowed from Old French figure, from Latin figūra (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingō (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ- (“to mold, shape, form, knead”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τεῖχος (teîkhos), Sanskrit देग्धि (dégdhi), Old English dāg (“dough”). More at dough. Doublet of figura.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.