indicate

[ in-di-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·di·cat·ed, in·di·cat·ing.

1. to be a sign of; betoken; evidence; show:

   His hesitation really indicates his doubt about the venture.

2. to point out or point to; direct attention to:

   to indicate a place on a map.

3. to show, as by measuring or recording; make known:

   The thermometer indicates air temperature.

   Synonyms: record, reveal, register

4. to state or express, especially briefly or in a general way; signal:

   He indicated his disapproval but did not go into detail.

5. Medicine/Medical.
   1. (of symptoms) to point out (a particular remedy, treatment, etc.) as suitable or necessary.
   2. to show the presence of (a condition, infection, etc.).

indicate

/ ˈɪndɪˌkeɪt; -trɪ; ɪnˈdɪkətərɪ /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to be or give a sign or symptom of; imply

   cold hands indicate a warm heart

2. to point out or show
3. may take a clause as object to state briefly; suggest

   he indicated what his feelings were

4. (of instruments) to show a reading of

   the speedometer indicated 50 miles per hour

5. usually passive to recommend or require

   surgery seems to be indicated for this patient

Derived Forms

• ˈindiˌcatable, adjective
• indicatory, adjective

Other Words From

• in·di·cata·ble adjective
• in·dic·a·to·ry [in-, dik, -, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• inter·indi·cate verb (used with object) interindicated interindicating
• re·indi·cate verb (used with object) reindicated reindicating
• un·indi·cated adjective
• well-indi·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin indicātus, past participle of indicāre “to point, make known,” equivalent to indic- (stem of index ) “pointer, marker, informer” + -ātus past participle suffix; index, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

C17: from Latin indicāre to point out, from in- ² + dicāre to proclaim; compare index

Example Sentences

The MRI indicated a large tumor that has spread outside of his prostate.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, while white evangelical Protestants are only 14% of the general population, the early exit polls indicate that they may have represented as many as one in five voters.

From Salon

They concluded her behaviour indicated "a serious lapse in professional judgment" and suspended her from the nursing register for a year, preventing her working in healthcare.

From BBC

“The destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people,” it warns.

From BBC

The Israeli far right has indicated that it sees Huckabee’s appointment as a sign that it will be able to further advance its agenda, including annexation of the West Bank, during the next Trump term.

From BBC

Related Words

• announce
• argue
• demonstrate
• express
• hint
• illustrate
• imply
• make
• mark
• mean
• pinpoint
• point out
• prove
• reveal
• show
• signal
• specify
• suggest