significant

[ sig-nif-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. important and deserving of attention; of consequence:

   Their advice played a significant role in saving my marriage.

   Synonyms: weighty, momentous, consequential

2. relatively large in amount or quantity:

   a significant decrease in revenue.

3. having or expressing a meaning; indicative:

   a significant symbol of royalty.

4. having a special, secret, or disguised meaning; suggestive:

   a significant wink.

5. Statistics. of or relating to observations that are unlikely to occur by chance and that therefore indicate a systematic cause:

   Memory training produced a statistically significant improvement in group performance.

noun

1. something significant; a sign.

significant

/ sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

adjective

1. having or expressing a meaning; indicative
2. having a covert or implied meaning; suggestive
3. important, notable, or momentous
4. statistics of or relating to a difference between a result derived from a hypothesis and its observed value that is too large to be attributed to chance and that therefore tends to refute the hypothesis

Derived Forms

• sigˈnificantly, adverb

Other Words From

• sig·nif·i·cant·ly adverb
• non·sig·nif·i·cant adjective
• su·per·sig·nif·i·cant adjective
• un·sig·nif·i·cant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of significant¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin significant- (stem of significāns ), present participle of the verb significāre “to indicate, denote”; signify, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of significant¹

C16: from Latin significāre to signify

Example Sentences

Republicans will have a majority in the Senate next year, but Schiff will still wield a significant amount of power, said former California Sen. Barbara Boxer.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re adding a potentially significant amount of toxic heavy metals when we dump retardant, no matter where we dump it in the watershed,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

That is, our cultural formation determines to a significant extent what colors we perceive and what we are incapable of seeing because our brains have not been taught to expect it.

From Salon

Since then, it has become one of the most significant policy indicators.

From Science Daily

“You had this new evidence two months ago, you thought it was significant and yet the suspect hasn’t been brought back in,” I said.

From BBC

Related Words

• big
• consequential
• considerable
• meaningful
• momentous
• notable
• noteworthy
• serious
• substantial
• vital

When To Use

What are other ways to say significant?

The adjective significant describes things that are important, indicative of something, or suggestive of a hidden secret meaning. Do you know when to use significant, expressive, meaningful, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com.