ENGLISH
REFERENCE

figured

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈfɪɡjɝd// UK //fˈɪɡəd// fig·ured

v. to think or believe something is true after considering the facts. You use this when you have reached a logical conclusion about a situation.

v. to conclude, believe, or expect something based on reasoning or prior knowledge. Often used in the past tense to describe a mental realization.


SIMPLE

I figured you would be hungry after your long flight.

CONTEXTUAL

Since the lights were off and the car was gone, I figured nobody was home.

COMPLEX

Having observed the market trends for several months, the investors figured that a sudden downturn was inevitable and moved their capital into safer assets.

Synonyms
Origin

From figure + -ed.

Usage

Often followed by a 'that' clause, though 'that' is frequently omitted in speech.

Pitfall

I figured about the problemI figured out the problemWhen the meaning is 'to solve' or 'to understand', the particle 'out' is required; without it, the verb means 'to assume'.

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