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

An attorney was asked to follow up, but no records indicate what happened next.

From The Daily Beast

The fragment is written in Coptic, not Greek, and is not actually from the Bible, as the title would indicate.

From The Daily Beast

In general, comas are a negative prognostic factor and indicate severe damage.

From The Daily Beast

Propagators: Who has been retweeting and spreading the story, given the retweets often indicate agreement?

From The Daily Beast

There was nothing to indicate this is where I was going to end up.

From The Daily Beast

Granular and fatty casts, therefore, always indicate partial or complete disintegration of the renal epithelium.

From Project Gutenberg

In dates of the last and present century it is usual to indicate the last two figures of the date.

From Project Gutenberg

It came to be used as a supplement to the law to indicate ways of doing things unknown to the law, which ought to be done.

From Project Gutenberg

The second word should indicate by its consonants the numbers of the bones to which the attachment is made.

From Project Gutenberg

He threw out his arms, as if trying to indicate the proportions of a great world or of an enormous ocean.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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