figured glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Trade
Quick answer
What does “figured glass” mean?
Glass with a surface pattern (like frosting, ribs, or waves) pressed or rolled into it, making it translucent and obscuring direct vision.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Glass with a surface pattern (like frosting, ribs, or waves) pressed or rolled into it, making it translucent and obscuring direct vision.
Any decorative glass primarily used for privacy or diffused light, often in windows, doors, or partitions. The term is sometimes extended to stained glass with a textured, non-transparent background.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'figured glass' is the standard term. In British English, 'patterned glass' or 'obscured glass' are more common, though 'figured glass' is understood in trade contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical descriptor in both varieties. May sound slightly old-fashioned or specialist.
Frequency
Higher frequency in technical/architectural texts than in general language. Slightly more common in American English trade catalogs.
Grammar
How to Use “figured glass” in a Sentence
[noun] made of figured glassfigured glass in [noun]figured glass with a [pattern]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figured glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The manufacturer figured the glass by passing it through rollers.
American English
- The glazier will have the glass figured before installation.
adjective
British English
- We chose a figured-glass panel for the bathroom.
American English
- They installed a figured glass door in the office.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contracts, specifications, and sales for architectural materials.
Academic
Used in materials science, architectural history, or design papers.
Everyday
Rare; a homeowner might say 'frosted glass' or 'privacy glass' instead.
Technical
Standard term in glazing, manufacturing, and architectural design documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “figured glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “figured glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figured glass”
- Saying 'designed glass' or 'shaped glass'. Using 'figured' as a verb: 'The glass was figured' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Stained glass is coloured, often with painted details. Figured glass is typically colourless but has a textured, patterned surface.
Not clearly. It makes shapes and light blurry, providing visual privacy.
In bathroom windows, front door sidelights, office partitions, and any area where diffused light and privacy are needed.
No. It derives from the older meaning of 'figured' as 'having a pattern or design'.
Glass with a surface pattern (like frosting, ribs, or waves) pressed or rolled into it, making it translucent and obscuring direct vision.
Figured glass is usually technical / trade in register.
Figured glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡəd ɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡjərd ɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a glass door with a FIGURE (shape/pattern) pressed into it. It's FIGURED out how to provide privacy.
Conceptual Metaphor
GLASS IS A CANVAS (for patterns).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of figured glass?