How to pronounce figure
Say it like FIG-yer. Figure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIG).
- FIG
- yer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Americans add a y sound ('FIG-yer'); Britons say 'FIG-uh'.
Figure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FIGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of figure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FIG-uh.
What does figure mean?
- A drawing or diagram conveying information.
- The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body.
- A person, thing, or action representative of another
- To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem.
- To come to understand.“I can’t figure if he’s telling the truth or lying.”
- To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon.“We can figure on running a loss this year.”
Where does figure come from?
From Middle English figure, borrowed from Old French figure, from Latin figūra (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingō (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying figure
How do you pronounce figure?
Say FIG-yer. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɪɡjɚ/. In British English it is /ˈfɪɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in figure?
Figure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FIG). Broken into parts: FIG · yer.
Is figure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɪɡə/ (FIG-uh).