Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

figure

2 verb
     
figure2 S2 W3
1 [intransitive] to be an important part of a process, event, or situation, or to be included in something
figure in/among
Social issues figured prominently in the talks.
My wishes didn't figure among his considerations.
Reform now figures high on the agenda.
2 [transitive] informal to form a particular opinion after thinking about a situation
figure (that)
From the way he behaved, I figured that he was drunk.
It was worth the trouble, I figured.
3

that figures/(it) figures

spoken especially American English
a) used to say that something that happens is expected or typical, especially something bad:
'It rained the whole weekend.' 'Oh, that figures.'
b) used to say that something is reasonable or makes sense:
It figures that she'd be mad at you, after what you did.
4

go figure

American English spoken said to show that you think something is strange or difficult to explain:
'He didn't even leave a message.' 'Go figure.'
5 [transitive] American English to calculate an amount:
I'm just figuring my expenses.

figure on something

phrasal verb
to expect something or include it in your plans:
She was younger than any of us had figured on.

figure somebody/something ↔ out

phrasal verb
1 to think about a problem or situation until you find the answer or understand what has happened
figure out how/what/why etc
Can you figure out how to do it?
If I have a map, I can figure it out.
Don't worry, we'll figure something out (=find a way to solve the problem).
2 to understand why someone behaves in the way they do:
Women. I just can't figure them out.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary