Figure Meaning
/ˈfɪɡə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA drawing or diagram conveying information.
nounThe representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body.
Sentence Examples
Strange to say, the figure went out of sight suddenly.
Eating between meals is bad for the figure.
My feelings about the matter didn't seem to figure at all.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The economist presented a surprising ____ that showed a sharp decline in unemployment rates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Can you help me ____ out how much we owe for the dinner including the tip and the local taxes?
Word Origin & History
From Middle English figure, borrowed from Old French figure, from Latin figūra (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingō (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ- (“to mold, shape, form, knead”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τεῖχος (teîkhos), Sanskrit देग्धि (dégdhi), Old English dāg (“dough”). More at dough. Doublet of figura.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For example, while Figure 1 shows information for 516 visitor groups, Figure 3 presents data for 1,625 individuals. A note above each graph or table specifies the information illustrated. ... For example, although Joshua Tree NP visitors returned 525 questionnaires, Figure 1 shows data for only 516 respondents."
— 2004, Joshua Tree National Park 2004 Visitor Study:
"a coin that bears the figure of an angel"
— c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vii]:
"Ever since I was a young’n and my dad gave me a Godzilla figure, I’ve been a huge fan of the big green lizard from the Land of the Rising Sun."
— 2007 December 26, Andy Salisbury, “Unleash the Beast”, in Nintendo Power, volume 222, page 34:
"Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic […]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become. When a series of bank failures made this impossible, there was widespread anger, leading to the public humiliation of symbolic figures."
— 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:
"I made some figure there."
— 1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The economist presented a surprising ____ that showed a sharp decline in unemployment rates.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Can you help me ____ out how much we owe for the dinner including the tip and the local taxes?