plural figures
1
a
: a symbol that represents a number : digit
He has a six-figure salary. [=he has a salary of at least $100,000]
b
: a value that is expressed in numbers
Are you sure of your figures?
I came up with a very different figure.
No precise/exact/official figures are available yet.
The company had yearly sales figures of half a million units.
Note: If you have a good head for figures, you are good at making calculations with numbers. If you have no head for figures, you are bad at making calculations with numbers.
2
a
: a person or animal that can be seen only as a shape or outline
We could barely make out some figures moving in the mist.
b
: the shape or form of a person's body
the human figure
the male/female figure
Note: Figure in this sense usually refers to women rather than men.
c
Note: The phrases a fine figure of a man and (less commonly) a fine figure of a woman describe someone who is tall and has a strong and well-formed body.
3
: a drawing, sculpture, etc., that represents the form of a person or animal
The vase is decorated with figures of birds and fish.
The walls of the cave are covered with drawings of human and animal figures.
a male/female figure
a collection of bronze/carved figures
a cardboard figure
a cartoon figure
4
: a person who has a specified status or who is regarded in a specified way
a noted/familiar/popular/prominent sports figure
He began by writing letters to well-known figures in journalism.
a mysterious/shadowy figure
She's a key figure in the organization.
He has become a figure of contempt. [=someone who is regarded with contempt]
a figure of fun/ridicule [=someone who is laughed at or ridiculed]
a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people]
5
a
: a diagram or picture
Turn your attention to the figure on page 15.
—abbr. fig.
b
mathematics
: a combination of points, lines, or surfaces in geometry
A circle is a closed plane figure.
geometric figures
figures; figured; figuring
1
: to expect or think (something)
I figured (that) they would lose. [=I expected them to lose]
I figured [=thought] he'd get tired of it in a few days.
The media figured that she would be the appointee. = The media figured her to be the appointee.
"They lost." "I figured as much."
(US) He figured [=expected] to lose money in the deal.
2
US, informal
a
: to understand or find (something, such as a reason) by thinking
Their reasons for doing this are hard to figure. [=figure out]
I've finally figured [=figured out] a way to manage my time better.
We've got to figure [=find] a way out of this mess.
b
: to appear likely to do something
She figures to finish by noon.
He doesn't figure to win. [=he probably won't win]
3
: to be or appear important : to have an important part in something
The debate over tax rates figured prominently in the last election.
4
: to calculate (an amount, cost, etc.)
He figured the cost at about $10,000.
The cost in dollars is easily figured.
5
chiefly US, informal
: to seem reasonable, normal, or expected
His explanation just doesn't figure. [=add up, make sense]
It figures [=it is not surprising] that he would be late today.
"He's late." "Well, it figures."
That figures. [=that doesn't surprise me]
Cite this Entry
“Figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/figure. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
