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

Synonyms

• answer
• break
• crack
• dope (out)
• puzzle (out)
• resolve
• riddle (out)
• solve
• unravel
• unriddle
• work
• work out

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

As this incremental progress continues, scientists are racing to figure out why some frog species are more susceptible to Bd than others. —Martin J. Kernan, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2024

As Ava figures out how to find a happy medium, Jacob, Barbara, and Melissa get caught up in trying to save the deli across the street from gentrification. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024

While figuring out how to live a life appears at her door. —Theara Coleman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024

To figure out who won an election, news organizations like Fox News, CNN, the Associated Press (AP), and others use a combination of data from election officials, statistical modeling, and polling and surveys of voters. —Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

figure out

verb

1

: find out, discover

try to figure out a way to do it

2

: solve

figure out a problem