26984 words

figures

25 definitions • 48 examples
1
the symbol for a number or an amount expressed in numbers:

Examples:

Can you read this figure? Is it a three or an eight?
Write the amount in both words and figures.
column of figures I looked quickly down the column of figures.
He earns a six-figure salary (= an amount of money with six figures).
2
between 1 and 9/between 10 and 99:

Examples:

The unemployment rate is now in double figures.
3
the shape of the human body, especially when you cannot see the person clearly:

Examples:

I could see two tall figures in the distance.
4
a person of a particular type, especially someone important:

Examples:

5
a painting, drawing, or model of a person:

Examples:

There are several reclining figures in the painting.
6
a woman's body shape:

Examples:

She's got a beautiful figure.
get your figure back She got her figure back (= returned to her usual shape) after having the baby.
7
a picture or drawing, often with a number, in a book or other document:

Examples:

Please see figures 8 and 9.
8
to expect or think that something will happen:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] We figured (that) you'd want to rest after your trip.
9
to be, appear, take part, or be included in something:

Examples:

figure in Their names did not figure in the list of finalists.
They denied that violence and intimidation had figured prominently in achieving the decision.
10
to calculate an amount:

Examples:

I'm still figuring my taxes.
11
a number or an amount:

Examples:

The collection was valued at $20 million, a figure that might cover the cost of having artists recreate the drawings.
12
a shape or form:

Examples:

geometric/abstract figures
13
the shape of a person’s body, or a body seen not clearly or from a distance:

Examples:

I could see two figures crossing the field in the distance.
14
A particular type of figure is a person with that characteristic:

Examples:

Our consultants are prominent figures in their field.
15

Examples:

Figure 10.3 shows the maximum length of the bridges.
16
to expect, believe, decide, or think that something will happen or that certain conditions will exist:

Examples:

[ + (that) clause ] They figured (that) about twenty people would be there.
[ I ] You can’t figure on going out and being back in two hours.
17
fig. If something figures, you are unhappy about it but you expected it:

Examples:

[ I ] "He’ll be late for dinner." "That figures!"
18
an amount shown as a number, used especially in documents and reports:

Examples:

official/government figures US exports to Saudi Arabia were valued at 6.2 billion dollars, according to official figures.
latest/final/interim figure The latest figures show that average spending on food is now around 15% of income.
a high/low figure A high figure may indicate that the economy is overheating, as consumers borrow in order to live beyond their means.
average/rough/approximate figure He was able to give me an approximate figure of £36,000.
In five years they plan to have 2,010 stores - almost double the current figure.
the actual/exact figure I can't remember the exact figure, but it was $10 billion or thereabouts.
unemployment/crime figures There was positive news in the labour market, with unexpectedly good unemployment figures.
listening/viewing/attendance figures Listening figures for the breakfast show have risen, helping the station push its audience share back over 10 per cent.
19
a number shown as a symbol rather than a word:

Examples:

The figure 6 was clearly marked on the door.
Write 'twelve thousand and fifty six' in figures.
21
to give an exact amount or number:

Examples:

It is difficult to put a figure on the cost of the repair work, as it is still rising.
22
the numbers 1 to 9/10 to 99:

Examples:

Many of these companies have low price-earnings ratios, some in single figures.
There are fears that inflation could soon run into double figures.
23
used to describe a number in the hundreds of thousands or millions:

Examples:

She has a top City job with a six-figure salary.
24
to calculate something:

Examples:

figure that Economists figure that the average snowmobiler spends about $555 per visit to the Yellowstone area.
25
to appear or to be included in something:

Examples:

figure in sth The cost of higher education is expected to figure prominently in all of the parties' policies this November.

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