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

Example Sentences

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Recent Examples on the Web Users can also set up a longer, alphanumeric passcode that’s harder for bad actors to figure out. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 23 Apr. 2023 The first round begins April 27 in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2023 And others are still trying to strike the right balance, living soft lives while figuring out what their quiet ambition looks like. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2023 Hannah's relationship with her stepdaughter is tenuous at best, but the two must stick together to figure out Owen's secrets while a high-profile scandal involving his employer threatens to engulf them. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 15 Apr. 2023 Toler then had to narrow down the small pool of active members in that server — the online gaming chat group — to figure out the leaker. Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2023 And while the initial setup was a piece of cake, the sheer volume of setting options were a bit daunting and needed some trial and error in order to figure out how to accurately change them. Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2023 Russia’s spy services likely face a scramble to figure out which networks or human sources have been compromised. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2023 However, before Stone can find his next franchise cornerstones, there's one critical piece of business to take care of: figuring out who will serve as the Rockets' next head coach? Michael Shapiro, Chron, 10 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'figure out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near figure out

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

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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