figures
figures — noun
1. a written sign such as 3, 7, or 152, used to record a count, quantity, or sum on
a written sign such as 3, 7, or 152, used to record a count, quantity, or sum on paper rather than in words.
Mauricio wrote the total in figures next to the words on the cheque.
in figures vs in words contrast
The bill came to almost two thousand dollars, a figure that shocked the family.
Please add up these figures and tell me the total profit for March.
Cyrus checked the sales figures three times before sending the report to his boss.
The figure on the receipt was hard to read because the printer was running out of ink.
用法筆記
Often plural when listing amounts (sales figures, unemployment figures). Use 'in figures' to contrast with 'in words'.
常見錯誤
2. used in phrases like 'single figures' (between 1 and 9), 'double figures' (betwe
used in phrases like 'single figures' (between 1 and 9), 'double figures' (between 10 and 99), and 'triple figures' (100 or more) to describe what range a number falls in.
Inflation has stayed in single figures for the past five years in this country.
in single figures fixed phrase
Élise scored in double figures for the first time in her basketball career last night.
in double figures sports collocation
Daily new cases have finally dropped back into single figures across the small town.
The temperature rose into triple figures during the heatwave in Phoenix last August.
- digits
informal alternative; 'two digits' = double figures
文法句型
in single/double/triple figures
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'in [single/double/triple] figures'. Standalone use without these modifiers belongs in sense 1.
3. the dim outline of someone seen from far away, in fog, or in low light, when the
the dim outline of someone seen from far away, in fog, or in low light, when their face and details are not yet clear.
Through the morning mist Otis saw two figures walking slowly along the beach.
saw + figure(s) + walking pattern
A tall figure appeared at the gate, and Christopher's dog began barking loudly.
Yan could just make out a hooded figure crossing the bridge in the dark.
Two shadowy figures stood under the streetlight whispering to each other.
- silhouette
outline only against a light background
- shape
more general; 'figure' implies a person
- outline
stresses the visible edge of the body
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6 (woman's body shape, evaluative): this sense is purely about the outline/silhouette of someone seen from afar.
4. someone who is important, well-known, or seen as typical of a certain group, pro
someone who is important, well-known, or seen as typical of a certain group, profession, or movement.
Amani became a leading figure in the country's independence movement during the nineteen-sixties.
leading figure in + movement
Several public figures spoke out against the new tax law at the rally yesterday.
public figures fixed collocation
Faisal is now a respected figure in the local restaurant scene after twenty years of hard work.
Trang's grandfather was a central figure in the village school for over thirty years.
The novel describes the lives of several historical figures from the Tang dynasty.
- personality
stresses fame in media or entertainment
- personage
formal; suggests dignity or importance
- celebrity
fame-focused; 'figure' covers respected/influential, not just famous
文法句型
figure + in/of + field
用法筆記
Always takes a modifier (public, leading, central, historical, etc.) or a 'in/of + field' phrase to specify what kind of importance is meant.
常見錯誤
5. an image or small sculpted object that represents a human shape — for example a
an image or small sculpted object that represents a human shape — for example a painted portrait, a carved wooden doll, or a bronze statuette.
Ilan bought a small wooden figure of a dancer at the craft market in Lisbon.
figure of + person collocation
The painting shows three figures gathered around a long wooden table sharing bread.
Tyler collects metal figures of soldiers from the First World War period.
A bronze figure of the city's founder stands in the middle of the main square.
用法筆記
Object must be the depicted form of a person, animal, or being. For abstract patterns (geometric shapes), use sense 8.
6. the overall shape of a woman's body, usually mentioned in terms of how attractiv
the overall shape of a woman's body, usually mentioned in terms of how attractive or well-proportioned it appears.
Soraya exercises daily to keep her figure trim after the birth of her second baby.
keep + one's figure pattern
The dress fitted Antonia's slim figure perfectly across the shoulders and waist.
slim figure adjective pairing
Zuri has a wonderful figure and looks great in almost anything she wears.
Beatriz watches what she eats to keep her figure in shape for her dance shows.
用法筆記
Typically used of women in everyday speech; calling a man's body a 'figure' is uncommon and may sound odd. Subject is usually a person, not a body part.
7. a diagram, chart, or picture inside a book, report, or scientific paper, usually
a diagram, chart, or picture inside a book, report, or scientific paper, usually given its own number for easy reference.
See Figure 3 on page 47 for a diagram of the human heart and its main blood vessels.
Figure + number reference pattern
Walid included six figures in his thesis to show how rainfall has changed over fifty years.
include + figures + in document
The textbook places each figure right next to the paragraph that explains it.
Soraya redrew the figures in her science report so the labels were easier to read.
- diagram
specifically a labelled drawing; 'figure' is the broader umbrella term
- illustration
any visual aid in a text; close synonym
- chart
specifically a data display (bar, pie, etc.)
文法句型
abbreviated as 'Fig.' before a number
用法筆記
Conventionally capitalised when followed by a number ('Figure 3'). Lower-case in general reference ('the figures in chapter 4').
8. in maths, any closed shape formed by lines, planes, or points — for example, a t
in maths, any closed shape formed by lines, planes, or points — for example, a triangle, square, circle, or sphere.
Asher asked the class to name each two-dimensional figure on the worksheet.
two-dimensional figure technical collocation
A cube is a three-dimensional figure with six square sides and twelve edges.
three-dimensional figure definition pattern
Brandon drew several geometric figures on the board to introduce the lesson on symmetry.
Match each name on the left with the correct figure on the right side of the page.
用法筆記
Most common in maths textbooks and classroom talk. In everyday English, prefer 'shape' for the same idea.
figures — verb
1. to guess or believe that something will probably happen or turn out a certain wa
to guess or believe that something will probably happen or turn out a certain way, based on the information you have.
Ziad figured that the train would be late because of the heavy snow that morning.
figure + that-clause pattern
I figured you'd be hungry, so I left a sandwich in the fridge for you.
informal: I figured + clause
The coach figures the team has a real chance of reaching the final this year.
Mauricio figured the meeting would last about an hour, but it ran until lunchtime.
文法句型
figure + that-clause
figure + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Informal and mostly North American. In British English, prefer 'reckon' or 'suppose' in the same slot. Often shortened to a stand-alone reaction: 'That figures!' meaning 'That's what I expected'.
常見錯誤
2. to think of a person or thing as being a certain type or playing a certain role.
to think of a person or thing as being a certain type or playing a certain role.
Christopher figures himself as the leader of the group, although nobody actually voted for him.
figure + reflexive + as + role
The teacher figured Trang as the most likely candidate to win the writing contest.
figure + object + as + role
Many critics figure the new film as a quiet masterpiece that took years to make.
Otis figured his cousin as the kind of person who never returns borrowed books.
文法句型
figure + somebody/something + as + noun
用法筆記
Pattern is 'figure X as Y', where Y is a role, character type, or category. Without 'as', the same idea is usually expressed with 'see X as Y' or 'consider X to be Y'.
3. to show up as a noticeable element within a larger event, list, story, or activi
to show up as a noticeable element within a larger event, list, story, or activity.
Cyrus's name figures prominently in the list of donors for the new library wing.
figure prominently in + something
Football figures heavily in life across most of Brazil's smaller coastal towns.
figure heavily + in + activity
Local farmers figure in almost every chapter of Élise's history of the region.
Honesty figured high among the qualities that Yan looked for in a business partner.
- appear
neutral; 'figure' suggests being a noticeable element
- feature
close synonym; often interchangeable with 'figure in'
- play a part
stresses active role rather than mere presence
文法句型
figure in/on/among + something
用法筆記
Usually paired with an adverb of degree ('prominently', 'heavily', 'high') or a preposition ('in', 'on', 'among') that says how or where the subject appears. Bare 'figure' without these is rare.
4. to work out a number or amount, usually by adding, subtracting, or doing simple
to work out a number or amount, usually by adding, subtracting, or doing simple maths in your head or on paper.
Amani figured the total cost of the trip and divided it between the four travellers.
figure + total/cost direct object
Faisal sat at the kitchen table figuring how much paint the bedroom walls would need.
figure + how much pattern
Let me figure the tip while you find your jacket and gloves.
Ilan figured the distance from his house to the school at about three kilometres.
文法句型
figure + amount
figure + how much/many
用法筆記
Informal, mostly American. British speakers usually say 'work out' instead. For more complex maths, 'calculate' is preferred even in American English.
5. to come to understand something tricky, usually after thinking about it for a wh
to come to understand something tricky, usually after thinking about it for a while or trying different ideas; most often used as 'figure out'.
Tyler finally figured out why the printer kept jamming after every fifth page.
figure out + why-clause
Antonia spent the whole afternoon trying to figure the new software out by herself.
figure + object + out separation
Brandon could not figure how the magician had made the playing card disappear.
It took the police six months to figure out who had broken into the museum.
- work out
British everyday equivalent; same meaning
- solve
stresses the result; 'figure out' stresses the thinking process
- understand
general; lacks the 'after effort' nuance
文法句型
figure (out) + noun
figure (out) + wh-clause
用法筆記
Almost always 'figure out' in modern usage; bare 'figure' for this meaning is older and chiefly American. Object can sit between the verb and 'out' for short noun phrases.