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.
The first plan of attack was to figure out how to stop the pup from escaping. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 Watkins also figured out more ways to impact the game defensively. Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025 Ideally, Slowik can figure out why the best teams have shut down the Dolphins’ offense for the last two years. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025 The company is still in the process of figuring out if this makes sense for GameStop’s business, according to one source. Yun Li,gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025 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 22 Feb. 2025.

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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