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 Central to the story, the kids play the unruly brothers who torment their Uncle Michael, Stiller's real estate developer character, who is charged with figuring out their care after the death of their parents. Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 6 Sep. 2024 So how did Paris Hilton and Carter Reum figure out their baby’s name? Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 6 Sep. 2024 Each of these characters is trying to figure out how to exist. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 6 Sep. 2024 To combat those declines, ecologists like Reed, of the United States Geological Survey in Moab, and her colleagues are trying to figure out how to regrow crusts in the wild. Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for figure out 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'figure out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 12 Sep. 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!