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

After realizing the shortcomings of tracking titles, the challenge for All Raise is to figure out what to track instead. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

The world is struggling to figure out what the dawn of artificial intelligence means for society, culture and the economy. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Best-case scenario is Patterson figures out something in the bye week to get the best out of this group. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

In the winter of 1958, two men independently figured out how these paper circuits could be made flesh. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 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