figure out

phrasal-verb
UK: /ˈfɪɡər ˈaʊt/
US: /ˈfɪɡjər ˈaʊt/

  1. To understand or find an answer to something by thinking about it.

    1. I can't figure out this puzzle at all. [ ] [ ]
    2. We need to figure out how to solve this problem before it gets worse. [ ] [ ]

  2. To calculate or discover something, often a total or cost.

    1. I'm trying to figure out the total cost. [ ] [ ]
    2. Have you figured out how much it will cost for the repairs to your car. [ ] [ ]

  3. To understand someone's behavior or motives.

    1. I can't figure her out at all. [ ] [ ]
    2. It's hard to figure out why he acted so strangely during the meeting. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

solve make out discover decipher understand reason calculate unravel

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "figure out" in English means: To understand or find an answer to something by thinking about it., To calculate or discover something, often a total or cost., To understand someone's behavior or motives..

The phonetic transcription of "figure out" is /ˈfɪɡər ˈaʊt/ in British English and /ˈfɪɡjər ˈaʊt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "figure out": solve, make out, discover, decipher, understand, reason, calculate, unravel.

Example usage of "figure out": "I can't figure out this puzzle at all.". More examples on the page.