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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To figure out what specifically drives great chocolate flavor, David Gopaulchan and his colleagues monitored fermentations on three Colombian cocoa farms. New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2025 So, because of that, there is some gaging and figuring out to do. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025 At 28 years old, Arraez will get the chance to figure out his value and secure a long-term contract, either with the Friars or another team. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 Part of that challenge was figuring out the prosthetics and costumes to make Taylor into a believable Santa. Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for figure out

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figure out was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

figure out

verb
1
: find out, discover
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve
figure out a problem

More from Merriam-Webster on figure out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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