The phrasal verb "figure out" is widely used in both informal and formal contexts, though it is slightly more prevalent in informal speech. It generally means to understand something after thinking about it or seeking a solution to a problem. In everyday conversation, people often use "figure out" when discussing coming to a realization or solving something uncertain, such as "I need to figure out how to use this software." In formal writing, you might see it used in similar contexts, such as problem-solving scenarios, although alternatives like "determine" or "resolve" might be preferred in highly formal documents. "Figure out" is a versatile and popular expression across all levels of discourse due to its clarity and ease of use.
B1
Intermediate
1. To solve a problem or understand something after thinking about it.
I can't figure out how to fix this broken lamp.
After looking at the puzzle for several minutes, she finally figured it out.
2. To calculate or determine something by reasoning.
I've figured out our travel budget for the trip.
Can you figure out how long it will take to arrive at our destination?
