figure out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
As soon as I figure out what is wrong with my car, I will fix it.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Register: informal
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “figure out” mean?
To come to understand; to discover or find a solution; to deduce.
Is “figure out” formal or informal?
figure out is generally informal.