figure
1fig·ure
noun\ˈfi-gyər, British & often US ˈfi-gər\
Definition of FIGURE
1
a : a number symbol : numeral, digit b plural : arithmetical calculations <good at figures> c : a written or printed character d : value especially as expressed in numbers : sum, price <sold at a low figure> e plural : digits representing an amount (as of money earned or points scored) <made six figures last year> <a score in double figures>
2
a : a geometric form (as a line, triangle, or sphere) especially when considered as a set of geometric elements (as points) in space of a given number of dimensions <a square is a plane figure> b : bodily shape or form especially of a person <a slender figure> c : an object noticeable only as a shape or form <figures moving in the dusk>
3
a : the graphic representation of a form especially of a person or geometric entity b : a diagram or pictorial illustration of textual matter
4
: a person, thing, or action representative of another
5
a : figure of speech b : an intentional deviation from the ordinary form or syntactical relation of words
6
: the form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term
7
: an often repetitive pattern or design in a manufactured article (as cloth) or natural product (as wood) <a polka-dot figure>
8
: appearance made : impression produced <the couple cut quite a figure>
9
a : a series of movements in a dance b : an outline representation of a form traced by a series of evolutions (as with skates on an ice surface or by an airplane in the air)
10
: a prominent personality : personage <great figures of history>
11
: a short coherent group of notes or chords that may constitute part of a phrase, theme, or composition
Examples of FIGURE
- Are you sure of your figures?
- I came up with a very different figure.
- No precise figures are available yet.
- The company had yearly sales figures of half a million units.
- We could barely make out some figures moving in the mist.
- The vase is decorated with figures of birds and fish.
- The walls of the cave are covered with drawings of human and animal figures.
- a collection of bronze figures
Origin of FIGURE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin figura, from fingere
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to FIGURE
Other Anatomy Terms
Learn More About FIGURE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: figure caster
Previous Word in the Dictionary: figurative
All Words Near: figure
Previous Word in the Dictionary: figurative
All Words Near: figure
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up figure? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).






See 

