figure

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A number, especially one written as a digit.

   A figure of $17 was suggested for the ticket.

2. 2
   noun

   The shape of a person's body.

   Her figure stood out clearly against the snow.

3. 3
   noun

   A drawing, diagram, or chart in a book or document.

   Figure 1 shows the results of the survey.

4. 4
   verb

   To play an important part in something.

   Cost figures prominently in every business decision.

5. 5
   verb

   To understand or work something out.

   I couldn't figure why she had left so suddenly.

Common collocations

• key figure Adjective + noun
• leading figure Adjective + noun
• public figure Adjective + noun
• quote a figure Verb + noun
• release figures Verb + noun
• authority figure Adjective + noun
• cite a figure Verb + noun
• put a figure on Verb + noun

From Middle English figure, borrowed from Old French figure, from Latin figūra (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingō (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ- (“to mold, shape, form, knead”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τεῖχος (teîkhos), Sanskrit देग्धि (dégdhi), Old English dāg (“dough”). More at dough. Doublet of figura.

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