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.
Many key items in the game have multiple uses that aren't fully explained in the game itself, requiring a good deal of guessing, checking, and observation to figure out how to exploit fully. Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024 Engineers figured out that radio waves with certain frequencies simply pass through ice. Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 21 Dec. 2024 Instead of denigrating them, figure out ways to inspire and empower them instead. Robert B. Tucker, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Become a party of one whose main rooting interest is figuring out whether Player X is going to be a star or not. Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 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 26 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
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