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.
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 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 28 Nov. 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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