signify

[ sig-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fy·ing.

1. to make known by signs, speech, or action.

   Synonyms: indicate, express, signal

2. to be a sign of; mean; portend.

   Synonyms: imply, betoken, denote, indicate, represent

verb (used without object)

, sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fy·ing.

1. to be of importance or consequence.

signify

/ ˈsɪɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to indicate, show, or suggest
2. tr to imply or portend

   the clouds signified the coming storm

3. tr to stand as a symbol, sign, etc (for)
4. informal.
   intr to be significant or important

Derived Forms

• ˈsigniˌfier, noun
• ˈsigniˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• signi·fia·ble adjective
• un·signi·fia·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of signify¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English signifien, from Old French signifier, from Latin significāre “to make a sign, indicate, mention, denote”; equivalent to sign + -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of signify¹

C13: from Old French signifier, from Latin significāre, from signum a sign, mark + facere to make

Example Sentences

"The modern brand signifies the optimism fans feel when they come together at the end of winter to experience the Six Nations," they said.

From BBC

“Merciless,” like its predecessors, is full of sound and fury, signifying much that Ice finds wrong with the world, his evenhanded, intelligent opinions writ loudly, if graphically.

From Los Angeles Times

This suggests a "hybrid" nature of these death whistle sounds, combining a basic psychoaffective influence on listeners with more elaborate mental processes of sound symbolism, signifying the iconographic nature.

From Science Daily

“New American” signifies the cuisine is influenced by all the cultures that are present in New York City right now.

From Salon

This shift signifies a growing recognition of podcasters as important figures in the political media landscape.

From Salon

Related Words

• add up to
• bespeak
• convey
• imply
• manifest
• portend
• proclaim
• represent
• spell
• stand for
• suggest
• symbolize