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 The rougher news is that figuring out how generative AI ought to optimally leverage the multiple chain-of-thought instances is an open issue and a tough nut to crack. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 Please give us time to work with KSP to figure out our next steps. Louis Casiano, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2024 Everyone is busy figuring out whatever the bigger problem there is that week. Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2024 In this documentary, Sarah pushes through the years of torture, anguish and manipulation in her attempt to reconstruct the truth — to figure out their past and break free of her father's influence. Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 18 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 1 Oct. 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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