figure
gb/fˈɪɡjɚ/ us/fˈɪɡjɚ/
B1
English
~ 2600
szám, számadat, alak, testalkat, gondol, következtet, rájön, kitalál, emberalak
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[number] figure(s)
The latest unemployment figures show a small improvement.
A legfrissebb munkanélküliségi adatok kis javulást mutatnak.
She checked the figures before sending the report.
Ellenőrizte a számadatokat, mielőtt elküldte a jelentést.
Government figures indicate a rise in crime rates.
Learner examples
The figure on the paper is 25.
A papíron szereplő szám 25.
He wrote the figure 10 on the board.
Felírta a 10-es számot a táblára.
The figure is bigger than last year.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'figure' with 'digit'. A digit is a single numeral (0-9), while a figure can be any number, even with many digits.
Meaning
A number or amount in digits
Collocations
sales figures
|inflation figures
|official figures
|employment figures
Synonyms
number (General term for a numerical value; 'figure' often used in formal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
word (Represents letters and language rather than numerical values.)
Themes
mathematics
|business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
A number written on paper or shown in print.
A symbol or group of symbols representing a number, especially as written or printed.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
slim figure / athletic figure
She has an athletic figure from years of swimming.
Az évekig tartó úszásnak köszönhetően sportos alakja van.
The dress flatters her figure.
A ruha előnyösen kiemeli az alakját.
He admired her graceful figure from across the room.
Learner examples
She has a slim figure.
Karcsú alakja van.
He has a strong figure.
Erős testalkata van.
The dress makes her figure look nice.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'figure' meaning body shape with 'person' in general; here it refers to outline, not identity.
Meaning
The shape of a person's body
Collocations
slim figure
|hourglass figure
|athletic figure
Synonyms
physique (More formal and often used for overall body structure.)
Antonyms
formlessness (Lacking any clear shape or outline.)
Themes
appearance
|fashion
|body
|daily_life
Definition
The shape of a person's body.
The shape or outline of a human body, especially when considered attractive.
VERB
B2
3
gondol
A1
következtet
B2
Usage pattern:
figure (that) [clause]
I figured you’d be tired after such a long trip.
Gondoltam, fáradt leszel egy ilyen hosszú út után.
She figured it was too late to call.
Úgy gondolta, hogy már túl késő telefonálni.
They figured the meeting would last about an hour.
Learner examples
I figure he is at home now.
Úgy gondolom, most otthon van.
She figures it will rain today.
Úgy gondolja, hogy ma esni fog.
They figure we will win the game.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'calculate'; here it means to think or believe, not do math.
Meaning
To think or conclude something
Collocations
figure out
|I figured that
|I figure (informal)
Synonyms
suppose ('Suppose' can imply uncertainty; 'figure' often suggests reasoning based on some evidence.)
Antonyms
doubt (To feel uncertain or not believe something.)
Themes
thinking
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think something is true after looking at the facts.
To decide, guess, or form an opinion about something based on available information.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
figure out [something] / figure [something] out
I can’t figure out how to open this jar.
Nem tudok rájönni, hogyan kell kinyitni ezt az üveget.
She finally figured out the answer to the puzzle.
Végül rájött a rejtvény megoldására.
We need to figure out what went wrong.
Learner examples
I can't figure out this question.
Nem tudom kitalálni a választ erre a kérdésre.
He figured out how to fix the car.
Rájött, hogyan kell megjavítani az autót.
We figured out the right way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget 'out' in 'figure out' and use just 'figure', which changes the meaning.
Meaning
To solve or understand something by thinking
Collocations
figure out a problem
|figure out how to do
Synonyms
solve ('Solve' is more formal and usually refers to problems; 'figure out' is more informal and general.)
Antonyms
confuse (To make or become unable to understand.)
Themes
problem solving
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To find the answer to something by thinking.
To understand or work out something by thinking about it carefully.
NOUN
B1
5
The painting shows a dark figure standing by the window.
A festményen egy sötét alak áll az ablaknál.
He became a prominent figure in politics.
A politika kiemelkedő alakjává vált.
Figures from mythology often appear in ancient art.
Learner examples
The picture has two figures in it.
A képen két alak van.
He is an important figure in history.
Fontos alakja a történelemnek.
I saw a strange figure outside.
Meaning
A person shown in art or imagination
Collocations
historical figure
|religious figure
|prominent figure
Synonyms
character ('Character' is more common for fictional people; 'figure' can be real or symbolic.)
Antonyms
object (Refers to non-human items rather than people.)
Themes
art
|literature
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A person shown in art or in your mind.
A human form represented in drawing, painting, sculpture, literature, or imagination.
Grammar
Dictionary form
figure
IPA
GB/fˈɪɡjɚ/
US/fˈɪɡjɚ/
Syllables & stress
fig - ure (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fig)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: figure
- Plural: figures
Verb
- Base: figure
- 3rd Person Singular: figures
- Present Participle: figuring
- Past: figured
Word family
Forms
figures
noun
figuring
verb
figured
verb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
disfigure
verb
disfigurement
noun
Advanced or less common
configure
verb B2
configuration
noun B2
Expressions
figure of speech
1/fˈɪɡjɚ əv spˈit͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Non-literal expression for effect
A way of saying something where the words do not have their usual meaning, used to make it more interesting or strong.
Examples
- ‘I'm so hungry I could eat a horse’ is just a figure of speech.
- She used a figure of speech to make her point clear.
figure out
1/fˈɪɡjɚ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Find an answer by thinking carefully
To understand something or find the answer by thinking about it.
Examples
- I can't figure out how to use this app.
- She figured out the puzzle after an hour.
figure out
8/fˈɪɡjɚ ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
understand or solve
To think until you understand the answer or solution.
Examples
- Can you figure out why the printer isn't connecting?
- We need to figure out how to pay for the repairs.
- He finally figured out the answer.
Learner examples
- I can't figure it out.
- She figured out how to use the app.
go figure
1/ɡˈoʊ fˈɪɡjɚ/
idiom
informal
Express surprise at something odd or unexpected
Used to say you are surprised about something strange or hard to understand.
Examples
- He doesn't like pizza but loves anchovies—go figure.
- She studied all night and still failed—go figure.
public figure
1/pˈʌblɪk fˈɪɡjɚ/
fixed phrase
A well-known person in public life
A person who many people know about, often because of their job.
Examples
- The actor is a public figure who supports many charities.
- As a public figure, she must be careful what she says.