figure
gb/fˈɪɡjɚ/ us/fˈɪɡjɚ/
B1
Engels
~ 2600
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Zelfstandig naamwoord
B1
entity
1
A number or amount in digits
A number written on paper or shown in print.
Gebruikspatroon:
[number] figure(s)
Veelgemaakte fout:
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.
Synoniemen
number (General term for a numerical value; 'figure' often used in formal or official contexts.)
Antoniemen
word (Represents letters and language rather than numerical values.)
Woordcombinaties
sales figures
|inflation figures
|official figures
|employment figures
Thema's
mathematics
|business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|education
Voorbeelden
- The latest unemployment figures show a small improvement.
- She checked the figures before sending the report.
- Government figures indicate a rise in crime rates.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The figure on the paper is 25.
- He wrote the figure 10 on the board.
- The figure is bigger than last year.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
B1
entity
2
The shape of a person's body
The shape of a person's body.
Gebruikspatroon:
slim figure / athletic figure
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'figure' meaning body shape with 'person' in general; here it refers to outline, not identity.
Synoniemen
physique (More formal and often used for overall body structure.)
Antoniemen
formlessness (Lacking any clear shape or outline.)
Woordcombinaties
slim figure
|hourglass figure
|athletic figure
Thema's
appearance
|fashion
|body
|daily_life
Voorbeelden
- She has an athletic figure from years of swimming.
- The dress flatters her figure.
- He admired her graceful figure from across the room.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- She has a slim figure.
- He has a strong figure.
- The dress makes her figure look nice.
Werkwoord
B2
action
3
To think or conclude something
To think something is true after looking at the facts.
Gebruikspatroon:
figure (that) [clause]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'calculate'; here it means to think or believe, not do math.
Synoniemen
suppose ('Suppose' can imply uncertainty; 'figure' often suggests reasoning based on some evidence.)
Antoniemen
doubt (To feel uncertain or not believe something.)
Woordcombinaties
figure out
|I figured that
|I figure (informal)
Thema's
thinking
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- I figured you’d be tired after such a long trip.
- She figured it was too late to call.
- They figured the meeting would last about an hour.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I figure he is at home now.
- She figures it will rain today.
- They figure we will win the game.
Werkwoord
B1
action
4
To solve or understand something by thinking
To find the answer to something by thinking.
Gebruikspatroon:
figure out [something] / figure [something] out
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes forget 'out' in 'figure out' and use just 'figure', which changes the meaning.
Synoniemen
solve ('Solve' is more formal and usually refers to problems; 'figure out' is more informal and general.)
Antoniemen
confuse (To make or become unable to understand.)
Woordcombinaties
figure out a problem
|figure out how to do
Thema's
problem solving
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- I can’t figure out how to open this jar.
- She finally figured out the answer to the puzzle.
- We need to figure out what went wrong.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I can't figure out this question.
- He figured out how to fix the car.
- We figured out the right way.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
B1
entity
5
A person shown in art or imagination
A person shown in art or in your mind.
Synoniemen
character ('Character' is more common for fictional people; 'figure' can be real or symbolic.)
Antoniemen
object (Refers to non-human items rather than people.)
Woordcombinaties
historical figure
|religious figure
|prominent figure
Thema's
art
|literature
|arts_entertainment
Voorbeelden
- The painting shows a dark figure standing by the window.
- He became a prominent figure in politics.
- Figures from mythology often appear in ancient art.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The picture has two figures in it.
- He is an important figure in history.
- I saw a strange figure outside.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
figure
IPA
GB/fˈɪɡjɚ/
US/fˈɪɡjɚ/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
fig - ure (2 lettergrepen)
Stress on 1st syllable (fig)
Woordvormen
Noun
- Base: figure
- Plural: figures
Verb
- Base: figure
- 3rd Person Singular: figures
- Present Participle: figuring
- Past: figured
Woordfamilie
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
Uitdrukkingen
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.
Voorbeelden
- ‘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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- The actor is a public figure who supports many charities.
- As a public figure, she must be careful what she says.