Figurine vs. Figure — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 17, 2024
A figurine is a small ornamental or collectible statue, often detailed and made from materials like ceramic or metal, while a figure can refer to any representational form, including action figures, statues, or mathematical diagrams.
Difference Between Figurine and Figure
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Figurines are typically small, decorative statues, representing humans, deities, animals, or fantastical creatures. They are often made from materials such as ceramic, metal, porcelain, or resin, prized for their craftsmanship and detail. Figurines are commonly collected for their aesthetic or sentimental value, serving as keepsakes, souvenirs, or part of a collector's items. On the other hand, "figure" is a more general term that encompasses a wide range of representations. In addition to referring to small statues or action figures, it can denote diagrams or illustrations in a mathematical or scientific context, body shapes, or even prominent individuals in specific fields.
When discussing collectibles or decorations, figurines are valued for their artistry and the precision of their details, often displayed in homes or collections for their beauty or cultural significance. Figures, however, might be more utilitarian or varied in their purpose. Action figures, for instance, are designed for play and may come with movable parts to allow for posing, making them popular among children and collectors alike.
In the arts and literature, a figure might refer to a person's shape or form, or to characters depicted in a narrative. This broad usage makes "figure" applicable in discussions ranging from fashion to psychology, indicating its flexibility across different contexts. Conversely, the term "figurine" remains closely associated with physical statuettes and is less likely to be used metaphorically or in abstract contexts.
The use of "figure" to denote diagrams, shapes, or graphical representations underscores the term's versatility. Figures in this sense are essential for visualizing concepts, solving problems, or presenting data. Such a use of "figure" is distinctly different from the artistic and collectible nature of figurines, highlighting the importance of context in distinguishing between the two terms.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A small ornamental statue, often detailed and collectible.
A broad term for representational forms, including statues, diagrams, and numerical data.
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Materials
Ceramic, metal, porcelain, resin.
Varied, depending on context (plastic for action figures, paper for diagrams, etc.).
Purpose
Decoration, collection, sentimental value.
Varied, including play, education, illustration, and representation.
Collectibility
Often collected for their aesthetic or cultural value.
Collectibility varies; action figures are commonly collected, while mathematical figures are not.
Contextual Use
Primarily in decorative and collectible contexts.
Broadly used across various fields, including art, mathematics, and literature.
Compare with Definitions
Figurine
Collected for their beauty or sentimental value.
She started collecting cat figurines as a reminder of her travels.
Figure
Can refer to a diagram or illustration in mathematical or scientific contexts.
Refer to figure 2 for a diagram of the cell structure.
Figurine
Used as decorative pieces in homes or offices.
A series of animal figurines adorned the mantelpiece.
Figure
Denotes the shape or form of a human body.
The artist captured the figure of the dancer beautifully in her painting.
Figurine
Reflects craftsmanship and artistry.
The figurine was hand-painted with intricate details.
Figure
A general term for any representational form, including statues and action figures.
The child played with superhero figures all afternoon.
Figurine
A small, detailed statue made from materials like ceramic or metal.
The porcelain figurine of the ballet dancer was her favorite piece in the collection.
Figure
Used to describe a prominent person in a specific field.
She is a leading figure in environmental advocacy.
Figurine
Often represents humans, animals, or mythical creatures.
His shelf was filled with figurines of dragons and knights.
Figure
Refers to numerical data or calculations in discussions.
The figures from the latest report show an increase in revenue.
Figurine
A figurine (a diminutive form of the word figure) or statuette is a small, three-dimensional sculpture that represents a human, deity or animal, or, in practice, a pair or small group of them. Figurines have been made in many media, with clay, metal, wood, glass, and today plastic or resin the most significant.
Figure
A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.
Figurine
A statuette, especially one of a human form.
Figure
Figures Mathematical calculations
Good at figures.
Figurine
A small molded or sculptured figure; a statuette.
Figure
An amount represented in numbers
Sold for a large figure.
Figurine
A small carved or molded figure; a statuette.
Figure
Figures One of the digits specified as making up a larger number
A salary in the six figures.
Figurine
A very small figure, whether human or of an animal; especially, one in terra cotta or the like; - distinguished from statuette, which is applied to small figures in bronze, marble, etc.
Figure
(Mathematics) A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes
A triangle is a plane figure.
Figurine
A small carved or molded figure
Figure
The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing
Saw the figure of a cat in the window.
Figure
The shape or form of a human body
A fashion model with an attractive figure.
Figure
An indistinct object or shape
The figures in the mist turned out to be lampposts.
Figure
A person, especially a well-known one
A famous historical figure.
Figure
Impression or appearance made
Cut a dashing figure at the reception.
Figure
A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.
Figure
A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.
Figure
A diagram
Drew a figure of the office layout.
Figure
A design or pattern, as in a textile
Silk with a paisley figure.
Figure
An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.
Figure
A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.
Figure
A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.
Figure
(Music) A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.
Figure
(Logic) Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, given one of the four possible arrangements of the middle term.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate with numbers
Figured the sum to be nearly a million.
Figure
To make a likeness of; depict.
Figure
To adorn with a design or figures.
Figure
To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bassline) to indicate harmony.
Figure
To embellish with an ornamental pattern.
Figure
To conclude, believe, or predict
I never figured that this would happen.
Figure
To consider or regard
Figured them as con artists.
Figure
(Mathematics) To calculate; compute.
Figure
To be or seem important or prominent
A key fact that figures in our understanding of what happened.
Figure
To be pertinent or involved
His advice barely figured in my decision.
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.”.
Figure
A drawing or diagram conveying information.
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
Figure
A person or thing representing a certain consciousness.
Figure
The appearance or impression made by the conduct or career of a person.
He cut a sorry figure standing there in the rain.
Figure
(obsolete) Distinguished appearance; magnificence; conspicuous representation; splendour; show.
Figure
A human figure, which dress or corset must fit to; the shape of a human body.
Figure
A numeral.
Figure
A number, an amount.
Figure
A shape.
A geometrical figure, a plane figure, a solid figure
Figure
A visible pattern as in wood or cloth.
The muslin was of a pretty figure.''
Figure
Any complex dance moveW.
Figure
A figure of speech.
Figure
(logic) The form of a syllogism with respect to the relative position of the middle term.
Figure
(astrology) A horoscope; the diagram of the aspects of the astrological houses.
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
Common Curiosities
Can a figure also be a figurine?
Yes, a figure can be a figurine if it refers to a small statue or action figure, highlighting the overlap in some contexts.
How do figures function in mathematics?
In mathematics, figures are used to represent shapes, data, or conceptual diagrams, aiding in visualization and problem-solving.
Why might someone collect figures?
Reasons include a passion for the subject matter (e.g., characters, animals), investment purposes, sentimental reasons, or aesthetic appreciation.
Can the term "figure" refer to abstract concepts?
Yes, "figure" can refer to abstract concepts, especially in discussions about numerical data or when representing theoretical models.
Are figures used in professional settings?
Yes, figures such as diagrams and charts are commonly used in professional settings for presentations, reports, and analysis.
What makes a figurine valuable?
The value of a figurine can come from its material, rarity, craftsmanship, condition, and sentimental or aesthetic appeal.
Are all figurines considered art?
While not all figurines are considered fine art, many are appreciated for their artistic qualities and craftsmanship.
Is there a difference in collectibility between figures and figurines?
The collectibility can vary; figurines are often collected for their aesthetic value, while figures like action figures are collected for both play value and as collectibles.
How should one care for figurines?
Care involves keeping them free of dust, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent fading, and handling them gently to avoid damage.
How do cultural perceptions of figurines and figures differ?
Cultural perceptions can vary widely, from viewing figurines as valuable collectibles or art forms to seeing figures as educational tools or toys.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
