figure

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.

“Figure” is pronounced FIH-guh (/ˈfɪɡjɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “figure” used in a sentence: “Sales figures were up ten percent this quarter.”

Depending on how it is used, “figure” can be a noun and a verb.

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.".

“Figure” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Figure” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a number or numerical value.

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.

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.

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.

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.