figure
26 synonyms and 0 antonyms for figure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A number or numerical value.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use figure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French figure, from Latin figura, "shape, form," ultimately from a root meaning "to mold or shape" — the same root behind "dough."
Full origin of figure →Frequently asked questions
What does “figure” mean?
The word “figure” means a number or numerical value. In plain terms, a number, a diagram, a person’s body shape, or a notable person — and as a verb, to work something out or assume something.
How do you pronounce “figure”?
“Figure” is pronounced FIH-guh (/ˈfɪɡjɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “figure” in a sentence?
Here is “figure” used in a sentence: “Sales figures were up ten percent this quarter.”
What part of speech is “figure”?
Depending on how it is used, “figure” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “figure” come from?
The word “figure” comes from Latin. From Old French figure, from Latin figura, "shape, form," ultimately from a root meaning "to mold or shape" — the same root behind "dough.".
Is “figure” a common word?
“Figure” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “figure” have?
“Figure” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a number or numerical value.
What is the difference between a figure and a number?
A number is the abstract mathematical value, while a figure usually refers to how that value is written as digits, or to a specific quantity in data. We say 'sales figures' for statistics and 'written in figures' for 12 rather than twelve. Every figure is a number, expressed concretely.
What does a six-figure salary mean?
A six-figure salary is one written with six digits, meaning it falls between 100,000 and 999,999 in your currency. The phrase counts the number of figures, or digits, in the amount. By the same logic, a five-figure sum is in the tens of thousands and seven figures reaches the millions.
What does 'in figures' mean?
Writing a value 'in figures' means using digits, such as 250, rather than spelling it out 'in words' as two hundred and fifty. Forms and cheques often ask for both to prevent errors. It is simply the difference between the numeral and its written-out name.
What does 'double figures' mean?
Double figures means a number with two digits, in other words any value from 10 to 99. Reaching double figures is a common milestone in sport and counting, as when a player scores ten or more points. Single figures covers 0 to 9, and triple figures begins at 100.