figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1

: discover, determine

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve, fathom

figure out a problem

Synonyms of figure out

• solve
• answer
• unravel
• resolve

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out

Recent Examples on the Web

And so there are friends who are hustling, pivoting to influencing in an effort to get money, to try to figure out how to capitalize on this moment. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping left Washington having enjoyed a state dinner and a marching band, both sides are still figuring out what the pageantry actually bought them. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

With alarm bells ringing over potential Russian offensives — both digital and kinetic — in the coming months, vulnerable European nations must figure out if, and how, to respond. — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026

According to Donica, one other major piece of the puzzle remains — figuring out who will take over Piney Point once remediation is complete. — Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for figure out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

figure out

verb

1

: find out, discover

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve

figure out a problem