To understand or solve something through thinking and reasoning.
To think hard until you understand something or find the answer.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To find the answer to a problem or mystery by thinking carefully.
"It took me an hour to figure out how to assemble the bookshelf."
"We need to figure out a way to change that."
— Barack Obama, campaign speech, 2008
To understand someone's character, motives, or behaviour.
"I've worked with him for years but I still can't figure him out."
"I can't figure you out."
— Maroon 5, 'This Love', 2004
To calculate a numerical amount or total.
"Can you figure out what we each owe for the bill?"
To calculate or draw out a figure/number — historically related to arithmetic, now used broadly for any kind of problem-solving.
To think hard until you understand something or find the answer.
Very common in everyday American English. The object can be placed between 'figure' and 'out' (figure it out) or after 'out' when it is a noun phrase (figure out the problem). Slightly more informal than 'work out' or 'determine'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "figure out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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