Figured vs. Figure — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
Figured refers to something adorned with patterns or calculations, while figure can denote a numerical value, shape, or prominent person.
Difference Between Figured and Figure
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Figured is often used to describe objects that are embellished with patterns or designs, such as fabrics or wood, emphasizing the visual or tactile aspect. It can also refer to conclusions reached through reasoning or calculation, implying a process of thought or computation. Whereas figure can have several meanings depending on the context: it may refer to a numerical value, representing quantity or measurements; a shape or form, particularly in the context of art or geometry; or a notable person in a specific field or story, highlighting prominence or significance.
While "figured" conveys the presence of designs or the act of calculating, "figure" in its numerical sense deals with the representation of data or quantities, serving as a fundamental element in mathematics and finance. On the other hand, when discussing shapes, "figure" refers to the external form or appearance of something, often used in artistic or geometric discussions.
In the context of patterns, "figured" materials such as figured wood or fabrics are appreciated for their aesthetic qualities, reflecting nature's complexity or artistic craftsmanship. Conversely, the term "figure" when used to describe a shape or form, focuses on the visual or structural characteristics of objects, irrespective of their decorative qualities.
"Figured" as a verb implies the act of understanding or solving something, suggesting an intellectual engagement with a problem or situation. This use emphasizes the cognitive process involved in reaching a conclusion. Meanwhile, "figure" as a noun, when referring to a person, denotes significance or prominence, indicating the individual's role or impact in a particular context, without implying any process of thought.
In artistic contexts, "figured" can be used to describe artworks that are rich in patterns or detailed imagery, emphasizing the complexity or intricacy of the design. In contrast, "figure" in art often refers to the representation of human or animal forms, focusing on the portrayal of physical appearance rather than patterned design.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Adorned with patterns or designs; calculated.
Numerical value; shape or form; notable person.
Context
Materials, reasoning, or calculations.
Mathematics, art, geometry, finance.
Focus
Patterns, conclusions from calculations.
Data representation, external form, prominence.
Usage as a verb
Refers to the act of calculation or reasoning.
N/A
Usage in art
Describes objects with decorative patterns.
Refers to the portrayal of human or animal forms.
Compare with Definitions
Figured
Patterned.
The figured fabric made the room feel more vibrant.
Figure
Shape or form.
The sculptor captured the figure of the athlete perfectly.
Figured
Calculated.
She figured the cost would be prohibitive.
Figure
Statistical data.
Sales figures for the quarter exceeded expectations.
Figured
Concluded through reasoning.
He figured that taking the train would be faster.
Figure
Geometric shape.
The children learned to draw different figures in geometry class.
Figured
Adorned with designs.
The figured wood was prized for its natural beauty.
Figure
Numerical value.
The figure on the screen showed an unexpected profit.
Figured
Embellished.
The manuscript was figured with elaborate illustrations.
Figure
Notable person.
She became a key figure in the political landscape.
Figured
Shaped or fashioned in a particular way.
Figure
A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
Figured
Decorated with a design; patterned
"My dress is richly figured" (Amy Lowell).
Figure
Figures Mathematical calculations
Good at figures.
Figured
Represented, as in graphic art or sculpture; depicted.
Figure
An amount represented in numbers
Sold for a large figure.
Figured
Simple past tense and past participle of figure
Figure
Figures One of the digits specified as making up a larger number
A salary in the six figures.
Figured
(of a natural material) Having a pattern considered attractive appearing on a section.
Figured wood is especially sought after for its distinctive texture.
Figure
(Mathematics) A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes
A triangle is a plane figure.
Figured
Adorned with a figure or figures.
Figure
The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing
Saw the figure of a cat in the window.
Figured
Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured muslin.
Figure
The shape or form of a human body
A fashion model with an attractive figure.
Figured
Not literal; figurative.
Figure
An indistinct object or shape
The figures in the mist turned out to be lampposts.
Figured
Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See Figurate, 3.
Figure
A person, especially a well-known one
A famous historical figure.
Figured
Of e.g. fabric design;
My dress is richly figured
Figure
Impression or appearance made
Cut a dashing figure at the reception.
Figure
A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.
Figure
A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.
Figure
A diagram
Drew a figure of the office layout.
Figure
A design or pattern, as in a textile
Silk with a paisley figure.
Figure
An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.
Figure
A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.
Figure
A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.
Figure
(Music) A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.
Figure
(Logic) Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, given one of the four possible arrangements of the middle term.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate with numbers
Figured the sum to be nearly a million.
Figure
To make a likeness of; depict.
Figure
To adorn with a design or figures.
Figure
To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bassline) to indicate harmony.
Figure
To embellish with an ornamental pattern.
Figure
To conclude, believe, or predict
I never figured that this would happen.
Figure
To consider or regard
Figured them as con artists.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate; compute.
Figure
To be or seem important or prominent
A key fact that figures in our understanding of what happened.
Figure
To be pertinent or involved
His advice barely figured in my decision.
Figure
(Informal) To seem reasonable or expected
“I found my keys in the sofa.” “Well, that figures, given that you were sitting there last night.”.
Figure
A drawing or diagram conveying information.
Figure
The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body.
A figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble
Figure
A person or thing representing a certain consciousness.
Figure
The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person.
He cut a sorry figure standing there in the rain.
Figure
(obsolete) Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendour; show.
Figure
A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body.
Figure
A numeral.
Figure
A number, an amount.
Figure
A shape.
A geometrical figure, a plane figure, a solid figure
Figure
A visible pattern as in wood or cloth.
The muslin was of a pretty figure.''
Figure
Any complex dance moveW.
Figure
A figure of speech.
Figure
(logic) The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Figure
(astrology) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
Figure
(music) Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.
Figure
(music) A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a motif; a florid embellishment.
Figure
To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem.
Figure
To come to understand.
I can’t figure if he’s telling the truth or lying.
Figure
To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon.
Figure
To be reasonable.
It figures that somebody like him would be upset about the situation.
Figure
(intransitive) To enter into; to be a part of.
Figure
(obsolete) To represent by a figure, as to form or mould; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
Figure
To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
Figure
(obsolete) To indicate by numerals.
Figure
To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Figure
(obsolete) To prefigure; to foreshow.
Figure
(music) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
Figure
(music) To embellish.
Figure
The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.
Flowers have all exquisite figures.
Figure
The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble.
A coin that bears the figure of an angel.
Figure
A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure.
Figure
A diagram or drawing, made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a surface or space inclosed on all sides; - called superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when inclosed by surfaces; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc.
Figure
The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person; as, a sorry figure.
I made some figure there.
Gentlemen of the best figure in the county.
Figure
Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show.
That he may live in figure and indulgence.
Figure
A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
Figure
Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure.
With nineteen thousand a year at the very lowest figure.
Figure
A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative.
Who is the figure of Him that was to come.
Figure
A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any deviation from the plainest form of statement. Also called a figure of speech.
To represent the imagination under the figure of a wing.
Figure
The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Figure
Any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer.
Figure
A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
Figure
Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.
Figure
A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical phrase or motive; a florid embellishment.
Figure
To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
If love, alas! be pain I bear,
No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
Figure
To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
The vaulty top of heavenFigured quite o'er with burning meteors.
Figure
To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen.
Figure
To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Whose white vestments figure innocence.
Figure
To prefigure; to foreshow.
In this the heaven figures some event.
Figure
To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
Figure
To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court.
Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring away brilliantly.
Figure
To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination.
Figure
A diagram or picture illustrating textual material;
The area covered can be seen from Figure 2
Figure
Alternative names for the body of a human being;
Leonardo studied the human body
He has a strong physique
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Figure
One of the elements that collectively form a system of numbers;
0 and 1 are digits
Figure
A model of a bodily form (especially of a person);
He made a figure of Santa Claus
Figure
A well-known or notable person;
They studied all the great names in the history of France
She is an important figure in modern music
Figure
A combination of points and lines and planes that form a visible palpable shape
Figure
An amount of money expressed numerically;
A figure of $17 was suggested
Figure
The impression produced by a person;
He cut a fine figure
A heroic figure
Figure
The property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals;
He had a number of chores to do
The number of parameters is small
The figure was about a thousand
Figure
Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Figure
A unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground
Figure
A decorative or artistic work;
The coach had a design on the doors
Figure
A predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating;
She made the best score on compulsory figures
Figure
Judge to be probable
Figure
Be or play a part of or in;
Elections figure prominently in every government program
How do the elections figure in the current pattern of internal politics?
Figure
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Figure
Make a mathematical calculation or computation
Figure
Understand;
He didn't figure her
Common Curiosities
Can "figure" refer to both a person and a number?
Yes, "figure" can denote a numerical value or a notable person, depending on the context.
Is "figured" ever used to describe a decision-making process?
Yes, it can imply reaching a conclusion through reasoning or calculation.
How is "figured" used in mathematics?
In informal contexts, it might be used to describe the process of calculation or estimation.
What distinguishes a "figure" in art?
It usually refers to a representation of human or animal bodies, focusing on form and shape.
Are "figured" patterns only found in nature?
No, they can also be artificially created in various materials for decorative purposes.
How can a person be a "figure"?
By being notable or significant within a specific context or field.
What does it mean when wood is described as "figured"?
It refers to wood with distinctive patterns or markings enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
Can "figure" refer to abstract concepts?
Yes, especially in phrases like "figure of speech," where it denotes an abstract idea rather than a physical shape.
How does "figure" relate to geometry?
It refers to specific shapes or forms studied within the discipline.
Can the term "figured" apply to music?
Yes, in the context of figured bass, where numbers indicate chords.
Does "figure" have a role in literature?
Yes, particularly in descriptions of characters or in the use of figures of speech.
Can "figure" be used in financial reporting?
Absolutely, it often refers to numerical data or statistics in financial contexts.
What's the difference in usage between "figured" and "figure" in everyday speech?
"Figured" is often used as a verb meaning calculated or thought out, while "figure" is more diverse, referring to numbers, shapes, or prominent individuals.
Is "figured" more subjective than "figure"?
In a way, yes, because it often involves personal interpretation of patterns or calculations.
Is it correct to say someone "figured" if they solved a problem?
Yes, it means they calculated or reasoned out a solution.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
