figure of eight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Specialised, Informal
Quick answer
What does “figure of eight” mean?
A shape or pattern resembling the numeral 8, especially one created by a continuous line crossing itself once, forming two loops.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A shape or pattern resembling the numeral 8, especially one created by a continuous line crossing itself once, forming two loops.
Any movement, object, or configuration that follows this shape, such as in skating, dancing, flight paths, or knots. In motorsport, a test track layout.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term. 'Figure eight' (without 'of') is the dominant form in American English, especially for the knot and the skating move. 'Figure of eight' is more common in UK English, though 'figure eight' is also understood.
Connotations
In the UK, 'figure of eight' can sound slightly more formal or descriptive; 'figure eight' can sound more technical or modern (e.g., in motorsport).
Frequency
Overall, 'figure eight' is more frequent globally due to American media influence, but 'figure of eight' remains standard in UK formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “figure of eight” in a Sentence
VERB + figure of eight (skate, trace, fly)figure of eight + NOUN (knot, loop, pattern, track)PREP. in a figure of eightVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figure of eight” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ice dancer will figure-of-eight across the rink.
American English
- The pilot figured eight above the airfield.
adverb
British English
- The kite flew figure-of-eight in the strong wind.
American English
- The butterfly moved figure eight through the flowers.
adjective
British English
- The figure-of-eight pattern was clearly visible from the hill.
American English
- They raced on a figure-eight track.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in describing growth charts or cyclical processes metaphorically.
Academic
Used in mathematics (geometry), physics (describing orbits or magnetic fields), and sports science.
Everyday
Common in hobbies: skating, dancing, flying model planes, climbing/knot-tying.
Technical
Precise term in aviation (flight manoeuvre), sailing/knotting (figure-of-eight knot), and engineering (cam profiles).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “figure of eight”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “figure of eight”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figure of eight”
- Using 'figure eight' as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'figure-eight track'). Confusing it with a simple 'loop' or 'circle'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Figure of eight' is standard in British English, while 'figure eight' (often hyphenated as an adjective) is more common in American English. The meaning is identical.
They are visually identical (∞). 'Infinity symbol' is the mathematical/conceptual term. 'Figure of eight' is the descriptive, general term for the shape, especially when formed by a movement or object.
Yes, informally. It means to move in that shape (e.g., 'The bird figured-of-eight through the sky'). It's more common in sporting/action contexts.
It's a common stopper knot in sailing, climbing, and general use. It prevents a rope from fraying or passing through a hole and is the basis for more complex knots like the double figure-eight used in climbing harnesses.
A shape or pattern resembling the numeral 8, especially one created by a continuous line crossing itself once, forming two loops.
Figure of eight is usually technical/specialised, informal in register.
Figure of eight: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɪɡər əv ˈeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡjər eɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tie yourself in knots (related concept of complexity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the number 8 lying on its side: ∞. It's the shape you make when you skate or fly in two connected circles.
Conceptual Metaphor
CIRCULARITY/INFINITY (the endless loop), INTERCONNECTION (two linked circles), COMPLEXITY (more involved than a single circle).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'figure of eight' LEAST likely to be used?