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.
The Big Ten and the SEC can spin their wheels in figuring out how much by which to expand the Playoff. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 In fact, Weiss has spent her first week in a flurry of meetings with anchors, producers and others at CBS and Paramount in New York and Washington to try and take stock of the status quo, and in turn to figure out what might need to change. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025 And there are equally dangerous, thuggish government figures out there up to no good as well. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 The overriding question should be will the Texas line figure out how to protect QB Arch Manning from OU’s nasty front four? Matt Hayes, USA TODAY, 10 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 17 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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