/ ˈfɪgə(r); NAmE ˈfɪgjər/ noun , verb
■ noun
NUMBERS
1.
[ C , often pl. ] a number representing a particular amount, especially one given in official information :
the latest trade / sales / unemployment, etc. figures
By 2004, this figure had risen to 14 million.
Experts put the real figure at closer to 75%.
2.
[ C ] a symbol rather than a word representing one of the numbers between 0 and 9 :
Write the figure '7' on the board.
a six-figure salary (= over 100 000 pounds or dollars)
His salary is now in six figures.
—see also double figures , single figures
3.
fig·ures [ pl. ] ( informal ) the area of mathematics that deals with adding, multiplying, etc. numbers
SYN arithmetic :
Are you any good at figures?
I'm afraid I don't have a head for figures (= I am not good at adding, etc.) .
PERSON
4.
[ C ] a person of the type mentioned :
a leading figure in the music industry
a political figure
a figure of authority
—see also father figure , mother figure
5.
[ C ] the shape of a person seen from a distance or not clearly :
a tall figure in black
SHAPE OF BODY
6.
[ C ] the shape of the human body, especially a woman's body that is attractive :
She's always had a good figure.
I'm watching my figure (= trying not to get fat) .
IN PAINTING / STORY
7.
[ C ] a person or an animal in a drawing, painting, etc., or in a story :
The central figure in the painting is the artist's daughter.
STATUE
8.
[ C ] a statue of a person or an animal :
a bronze figure of a horse
PICTURE / DIAGRAM
9.
[ C ] ( abbr. fig. ) a picture, diagram, etc. in a book, that is referred to by a number :
The results are illustrated in figure 3 opposite.
GEOMETRY
10.
[ C ] a particular shape formed by lines or surfaces :
a five-sided figure
a solid figure
MOVEMENT ON ICE
11.
[ C ] a pattern or series of movements performed on ice
•
IDIOMS
- be / become a figure of fun
- cut a ... figure
- put a figure on sth
—more at fact
■ verb
BE IMPORTANT
1.
[ v ] figure (as sth) (in / among sth) to be part of a process, situation, etc. especially an important part
SYN feature :
The question of the peace settlement is likely to figure prominently in the talks.
My feelings about the matter didn't seem to figure at all.
It did not figure high on her list of priorities.
Do I still figure in your plans?
THINK / DECIDE
2.
( informal ) to think or decide that sth will happen or is true :
[ v ( that )]
I figured (that) if I took the night train, I could be in Scotland by morning.
We figured the sensible thing to do was to wait.
[ vn ]
That's what I figured.
[also v wh- ]
CALCULATE
3.
[ vn ] ( NAmE ) to calculate an amount or the cost of sth :
We figured the attendance at 150 000.
•
IDIOMS
- go figure
- it / that figures
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- figure on sth | figure on (sb/sth) doing sth
- figure sb/sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses distinctive shape of a person or thing , representation of something material or immaterial , and numerical symbol , among others): from Old French figure (noun), figurer (verb), from Latin figura shape, figure, form; related to fingere form, contrive.