Picture vs. Figure: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 18, 2023
"Picture" typically refers to a visual representation, such as a painting or photograph, while "Figure" can denote a shape, number, or person's form.
Key Differences
"Picture" and "Figure" embody distinct meanings, though they both traverse the landscape of visual representation. A "Picture" is often an image or depiction, capturing moments, scenes, or objects. It's synonymous with photographs, paintings, and illustrations. In contrast, the term "Figure" wields multiple interpretations, spanning from numbers to shapes, and even embodying human forms or silhouettes.
When you enter an art gallery, the "Picture" predominantly refers to framed visual artworks on display. These could be oil paintings, sketches, or even digital prints. Yet, within the same gallery, a sculpture or a mannequin may be labeled as a "Figure", emphasizing its three-dimensional form or the human-like representation it embodies.
In literature or discussions, people might "Picture" a scene in their minds, visualizing narratives or ideas. It's an act of mental imaging. Conversely, "Figure" could be the representation of data in graphical forms, like charts or diagrams. It's more analytical and less about aesthetic imaging.
If you were to describe a photograph, you might use "Picture" to define it, referencing the captured image. However, if you were to reference a person's silhouette or outline within that same photograph, "Figure" would be the appropriate term. This distinction draws a line between the entirety of the visual representation and the specific forms or shapes within.
"Picture" captures essence, moments, and visual narratives, often inducing emotions or memories. "Figure", versatile in its usage, leans more towards forms, numbers, and analytical representations, though it can also encapsulate human forms in various contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Visual representation or image
Shape, number, or person's form
Context
Art, photography, mental imaging
Mathematics, statistics, sculptures, silhouettes
Nuance
Aesthetic imaging
Analytical or form-based representation
Associated Domains
Galleries, memories, media
Math, data representation, sculptures
Degree of Specificity
Typically two-dimensional imagery
Broad, ranging from numbers to human forms
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Picture and Figure Definitions
Picture
A visual representation, like a photograph or painting.
The picture on the wall reminded her of her childhood.
Figure
A person's bodily shape or form.
She has a graceful figure.
Picture
A graphic or illustration in a book or article.
The children's book had colorful pictures on every page.
Figure
A diagram or illustrative drawing.
The figure in the textbook explained the concept clearly.
Picture
A cinematic production or film.
We watched a picture about space exploration.
Figure
A statue or three-dimensional representation.
The marble figure stood tall in the courtyard.
Picture
A vivid or detailed description.
The author painted a vivid picture of the city in his novel.
Figure
A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Figure
Figures Mathematical calculations
Good at figures.
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Figure
An amount represented in numbers
Sold for a large figure.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Figure
Figures One of the digits specified as making up a larger number
A salary in the six figures.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Figure
(Mathematics) A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes
A triangle is a plane figure.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Figure
The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing
Saw the figure of a cat in the window.
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Figure
The shape or form of a human body
A fashion model with an attractive figure.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Figure
An indistinct object or shape
The figures in the mist turned out to be lampposts.
Picture
A movie.
Figure
A person, especially a well-known one
A famous historical figure.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Figure
Impression or appearance made
Cut a dashing figure at the reception.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Figure
A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Figure
A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Figure
A diagram
Drew a figure of the office layout.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Figure
A design or pattern, as in a textile
Silk with a paisley figure.
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Figure
An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Figure
A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Figure
A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Figure
(Music) A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Figure
(Logic) Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, given one of the four possible arrangements of the middle term.
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate with numbers
Figured the sum to be nearly a million.
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Figure
To make a likeness of; depict.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Figure
To adorn with a design or figures.
Picture
A figure; a model.
Figure
To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bassline) to indicate harmony.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Figure
To embellish with an ornamental pattern.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Figure
To conclude, believe, or predict
I never figured that this would happen.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Figure
To consider or regard
Figured them as con artists.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate; compute.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Figure
To be or seem important or prominent
A key fact that figures in our understanding of what happened.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Figure
To be pertinent or involved
His advice barely figured in my decision.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Figure
(Informal) To seem reasonable or expected
“I found my keys in the sofa.” “Well, that figures, given that you were sitting there last night.”.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Figure
A drawing or diagram conveying information.
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Figure
The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modelling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body.
A figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Figure
A person or thing representing a certain consciousness.
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Figure
The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person.
He cut a sorry figure standing there in the rain.
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Figure
(obsolete) Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendour; show.
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Figure
A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body.
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Figure
A numeral.
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Figure
A number, an amount.
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Figure
A shape.
A geometrical figure, a plane figure, a solid figure
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Figure
A visible pattern as in wood or cloth.
The muslin was of a pretty figure.''
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Figure
Any complex dance moveW.
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Figure
A figure of speech.
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Figure
(logic) The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Figure
(astrology) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
Picture
A mental image or visualization.
I have a clear picture of how the event should proceed.
Figure
(music) Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.
Figure
(music) A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a motif; a florid embellishment.
Figure
To calculate, to solve a mathematical problem.
Figure
To come to understand.
I can’t figure if he’s telling the truth or lying.
Figure
To think, to assume, to suppose, to reckon.
Figure
To be reasonable.
It figures that somebody like him would be upset about the situation.
Figure
(intransitive) To enter into; to be a part of.
Figure
(obsolete) To represent by a figure, as to form or mould; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
Figure
To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
Figure
(obsolete) To indicate by numerals.
Figure
To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Figure
(obsolete) To prefigure; to foreshow.
Figure
(music) To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
Figure
(music) To embellish.
Figure
The form of anything; shape; outline; appearance.
Flowers have all exquisite figures.
Figure
The representation of any form, as by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, embroidering, etc.; especially, a representation of the human body; as, a figure in bronze; a figure cut in marble.
A coin that bears the figure of an angel.
Figure
A pattern in cloth, paper, or other manufactured article; a design wrought out in a fabric; as, the muslin was of a pretty figure.
Figure
A diagram or drawing, made to represent a magnitude or the relation of two or more magnitudes; a surface or space inclosed on all sides; - called superficial when inclosed by lines, and solid when inclosed by surfaces; any arrangement made up of points, lines, angles, surfaces, etc.
Figure
The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person; as, a sorry figure.
I made some figure there.
Gentlemen of the best figure in the county.
Figure
Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendor; show.
That he may live in figure and indulgence.
Figure
A character or symbol representing a number; a numeral; a digit; as, 1, 2,3, etc.
Figure
Value, as expressed in numbers; price; as, the goods are estimated or sold at a low figure.
With nineteen thousand a year at the very lowest figure.
Figure
A person, thing, or action, conceived of as analogous to another person, thing, or action, of which it thus becomes a type or representative.
Who is the figure of Him that was to come.
Figure
A mode of expressing abstract or immaterial ideas by words which suggest pictures or images from the physical world; pictorial language; a trope; hence, any deviation from the plainest form of statement. Also called a figure of speech.
To represent the imagination under the figure of a wing.
Figure
The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Figure
Any one of the several regular steps or movements made by a dancer.
Figure
A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
Figure
Any short succession of notes, either as melody or as a group of chords, which produce a single complete and distinct impression.
Figure
A form of melody or accompaniment kept up through a strain or passage; a musical phrase or motive; a florid embellishment.
Figure
To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.
If love, alas! be pain I bear,
No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.
Figure
To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.
The vaulty top of heavenFigured quite o'er with burning meteors.
Figure
To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.
As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen.
Figure
To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.
Whose white vestments figure innocence.
Figure
To prefigure; to foreshow.
In this the heaven figures some event.
Figure
To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
Figure
To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court.
Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring away brilliantly.
Figure
To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination.
Figure
A diagram or picture illustrating textual material;
The area covered can be seen from Figure 2
Figure
Alternative names for the body of a human being;
Leonardo studied the human body
He has a strong physique
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Figure
One of the elements that collectively form a system of numbers;
0 and 1 are digits
Figure
A model of a bodily form (especially of a person);
He made a figure of Santa Claus
Figure
A well-known or notable person;
They studied all the great names in the history of France
She is an important figure in modern music
Figure
A combination of points and lines and planes that form a visible palpable shape
Figure
An amount of money expressed numerically;
A figure of $17 was suggested
Figure
The impression produced by a person;
He cut a fine figure
A heroic figure
Figure
The property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals;
He had a number of chores to do
The number of parameters is small
The figure was about a thousand
Figure
Language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Figure
A unitary percept having structure and coherence that is the object of attention and that stands out against a ground
Figure
A decorative or artistic work;
The coach had a design on the doors
Figure
A predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating;
She made the best score on compulsory figures
Figure
Judge to be probable
Figure
Be or play a part of or in;
Elections figure prominently in every government program
How do the elections figure in the current pattern of internal politics?
Figure
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Figure
Make a mathematical calculation or computation
Figure
Understand;
He didn't figure her
Figure
A number representing an amount.
The final figure for the project budget surprised everyone.
Figure
To think or conclude.
I figure we should arrive by noon.
FAQs
Can "Picture" refer to a mental image?
Yes, to "Picture" something can mean to visualize it in your mind.
Does "Picture" always mean a photograph?
No, "Picture" can refer to any visual representation, including paintings and drawings.
Is a statue considered a "Figure"?
Yes, statues or three-dimensional representations can be termed "Figure."
Can a "Picture" invoke emotions?
Yes, pictures, especially personal or artful ones, can evoke emotions or memories.
Is a silhouette a "Figure"?
Yes, a silhouette, which represents a shape or outline, can be a "Figure."
Is "Figure" always about numbers?
No, "Figure" can denote shape, form, or even a statue.
How is "Figure" used in math?
In math, "Figure" often refers to numbers or shapes.
Can "Figure" be a verb?
Yes, "Figure" can mean to think or conclude, as in "I figure it'll rain soon."
Can movies be termed "Pictures"?
Yes, movies or films are sometimes called "Pictures."
Can "Figure" mean a notable person?
Yes, in contexts like "public figure", it refers to a known or prominent person.
Does "Figure" always represent something physical?
No, it can represent abstract concepts like numbers or conclusions.
Does a "Picture" always exist in physical form?
No, it can be digital, physical, or even a mental visualization.
Can "Picture" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "Picture yourself on a tropical beach."
Is every visual representation a "Picture"?
Not necessarily. While many visual items can be "Pictures", some, like statues, might be better termed "Figures."
Can "Figure" be about data representation?
Yes, charts, graphs, or diagrams can be termed "Figure" in reports or articles.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
