figure
To think, suppose, or reckon something is so.
Updated September 21, 2026
figure pronunciation
/FIG-yer/
Meaning
When a rural Southerner says "I figure," they mean "I think" or "I expect," not math class. Same neighborhood as reckon and allow. You use it to guess how a plan will go, why somebody acted a certain way, or whether the rain will hold off till the hay is in.
How folks use it
- “I figure he'll show up once supper's on the table.”
- “You figure that old truck'll make it to town?”
Origin and etymology
Started as calculating or working something out, then widened in American English to mean suppose or conclude. Dictionary of American Regional English finds the "I think" sense across the country. It stays especially thick in Southern and Appalachian everyday talk beside reckon.
Frequently asked questions
Is figure the same as reckon?
Close enough for porch talk. Both mean you think or expect something. Reckon often sounds a little more country.