figure eight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral to technical (sports, recreational activities)
Quick answer
What does “figure eight” mean?
The shape or pattern of the numeral 8, especially one traced by a movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The shape or pattern of the numeral 8, especially one traced by a movement.
A shape, pattern, or course resembling the numeral 8, used in contexts such as skating, driving, knot-tying, or describing motion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'figure of eight' is the more common and traditional form, while 'figure eight' (without 'of') is standard in American English.
Connotations
Both convey the same shape. 'Figure of eight' may sound slightly more formal or traditional in BrE.
Frequency
'Figure eight' is overwhelmingly more common in AmE. In BrE, 'figure of eight' is more frequent, though 'figure eight' is understood and used, especially in influenced contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “figure eight” in a Sentence
[Verb] + a/the + figure eight (e.g., skate, trace, form, describe)[Adjective] + figure eight (e.g., perfect, tight, lazy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figure eight” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The boat will figure of eight around the buoys in the harbour.
American English
- The race car began to figure eight through the cones.
adjective
British English
- She completed a beautiful figure-of-eight routine on the ice.
American English
- The track had a challenging figure-eight layout.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in design or branding discussions (e.g., a logo shaped like a figure eight).
Academic
Used in mathematics (geometry), physics (motion paths), and sports science.
Everyday
Common in describing patterns in sports (skating, driving), dance, or simple drawings.
Technical
Specific to fields like figure skating (a compulsory pattern), motorsport (track layout), or knot-tying (figure-eight knot).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “figure eight”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “figure eight”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figure eight”
- Writing 'figure eight' as one word ('figureeight') or incorrectly hyphenating ('figureeight').
- Using 'figure eight' to mean 'infinity symbol' in formal mathematical contexts.
- Confusing 'figure of eight' (BrE) with 'figure eight' (AmE) in writing for a specific audience.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is typically written as two separate words when used as a noun ('a figure eight'). A hyphen is often used when it functions as a modifier before a noun ('a figure-eight pattern').
They are visually similar, but the infinity symbol is a specific mathematical concept representing an unbounded limit. A 'figure eight' is a more general term for any shape or path resembling the number 8, used in sports, recreation, and design.
Yes, especially in American English. It means to move in or trace the path of a figure eight (e.g., 'The bird figured eight through the sky').
It is not incorrect, but it is very uncommon and may sound British to American ears. The standard form in AmE is 'figure eight'.
The shape or pattern of the numeral 8, especially one traced by a movement.
Figure eight is usually neutral to technical (sports, recreational activities) in register.
Figure eight: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡər əv ˈeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡjər ˈeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tied in a figure eight”
- “figure-eight fracture (medical)”
- “run a figure eight”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ice skater drawing the number '8' on the ice with their blades – that’s a figure eight.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUITY IS A FIGURE EIGHT (endless, cyclic motion); BALANCE IS A FIGURE EIGHT (symmetrical, interwoven).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the term 'figure eight' LEAST likely to be used?