figure out

verb

figured out; figuring out; figures out

transitive verb

1
: discover, determine
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve, fathom
figure out a problem

Examples of figure out in a Sentence

a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Patients also need to figure out how to cope with some pretty intense activity limitations during the early part of their healing. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024 Figure that Oscar campaigners for these and other films will try to figure out what impact this has on their chances. Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 9 Dec. 2024 The timing and scope of Trump’s plan remains to be seen, but companies and economists are trying to figure out how much the deportations could hurt the U.S. economy. Kate Rogers, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 The Lions' offensive coordinator has to be salivating but the defensive coordinator won't get much sleep while trying to figure out how to stop the Bills offense. Tim Graham, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for figure out 

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of figure out was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near figure out

Cite this Entry

“Figure out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figure%20out. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

figure out

verb
1
: find out, discover
try to figure out a way to do it
2
: solve
figure out a problem

More from Merriam-Webster on figure out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!