'figure' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'figura', where 'figur-' related to 'form' or 'shape'.

'figure' changed from Latin 'figura' into Old French 'figure' and then entered Middle English as 'figure', eventually becoming the modern English word 'figure'.

Initially, it meant 'form, shape, outline' (from Latin), but over time it also developed senses related to 'a mental form or image' and the verb sense 'to form an idea, calculate, or reckon', which led to modern uses such as 'figure (n.)' and 'figure (v.)'.