What is figure? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "figure" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown of its common usages, grouped for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Calculate or Determine)

• Meaning: To calculate or figure out something.
• Examples:
  • "I need to figure out how much this bill is." (determine)
  • "Can you figure out the answer to this puzzle?" (calculate)
  • "Let's figure out a solution to this problem." (resolve)
  • "I’m trying to figure out why he’s acting so strange." (understand)
  • "She can figure it out herself." (figure something out)

2. As a Noun (A Number or Shape)

• a) Number (Statistic or Data Point): This is probably the most common meaning you'll encounter.

  • Meaning: A number that represents a value in a set of data.
  • Examples:
    • "The figure for sales last quarter was 15% higher than expected." (statistical data)
    • "Let's look at the figures on the spreadsheet." (data)
    • "The company announced a profit figure of $10 million." (a specific amount)

• b) Shape (Geometric Form): Used to describe a shape, often in drawings or diagrams.

  • Meaning: A shape or outline.
  • Examples:
    • "The artist used bold figures in her painting." (human or animal shapes)
    • "This diagram shows the figure of the Earth." (a representation of a shape)

3. As a Noun (A Person – Less Common)

• Meaning: A person, often a performer or artist. This usage is increasingly rare and usually regional.
• Examples:
  • "He’s a well-known figure in the art world." (a prominent person)
  • “She’s a significant figure in the social movement.” (a key person)

4. Phrases using "Figure"

• “Figure it out”: To figure something out (see verb example above).
• “Figure out a way”: To find a solution or method.
• “Figure someone/something”: To think of or consider something (often implies a mental process).
  • "I figured he was lying." (I thought)
  • "I figured I'd just order takeout." (I decided)

Tips for Understanding and Using "Figure"

• Context is key: The meaning of "figure" is heavily dependent on the sentence it’s in. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
• Distinguish from "figure" (as in, a person of importance): Be careful not to confuse "figure" (the number) with "figure" (a prominent person).
• Common Usage: When in doubt, "figure out" (as a verb) is a very common and useful phrase for expressing the idea of calculation or understanding.

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Resources for More Information:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure
• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/figure

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

• What context are you encountering the word "figure" in? (e.g., a textbook, a conversation, a news article?)