Figure
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "figure" commonly means to suppose, expect, or think - not to calculate. It’s everyday family talk for guessing or anticipating something.
synonyms: suppose, expect, think, reckon, allow (dialect)
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Saying 'I figured' is a super-common, everday phrase around here. Pronunciation
[FIG-yur] /ˈfɪɡ.jɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- To suppose/expect/think (verb, dialect)
Clara:
You figure they’ll make it by suppertime?
You figure they’ll make it by suppertime?
Elmer:
Yeah, I figured so, ’less they stop for gas.
Yeah, I figured so, ’less they stop for gas.- To estimate/calculate (standard sense; less typical in dialect use)
Estel:
I figured the trip at two hours.
I figured the trip at two hours.
Clara:
But we forgot about stoppin’ for supper.
But we forgot about stoppin’ for supper.variations: figger (dialect spelling), figured (past), figuring (progressive)
Origin
From general English "figure" (to compute/consider). In Southern/Appalachian speech, the verb broadened in everyday use to mean "suppose/expect/think," likely influenced by conversational verbs like reckon and allow.
Notes
- Southern/Appalachian: figure ≈ "suppose/expect/think" ("I figured you’d call").
- General English: more often "calculate/estimate," though the "suppose" sense is widely understood.
- Common in questions and soft predictions: "You figure"?", "I figured""
- Often overlaps with reckon and allow (dialect "suppose").