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

Preliminary estimates for this academic year indicate campuses enrolled an additional 3,000 students, boosting the total number of California undergraduates to more than 206,000, the most in UC history.

From Los Angeles Times

Wiltshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said their Spot the Signs project aims to highlight signs which might indicate a young person is being sucked into gang culture.

From BBC

Those with such fears are advised to use the code word "Angela", to indicate to staff they are in need of help.

From BBC

Trump’s actions indicate he is, at least at the moment, more focused on the latter.

From BBC

They both added that if I were not doing something like taking these long walks they would be very concerned about my state of mind because it would indicate, that like too many of their patients, I am in a state of deep denial and/or not finding a constructive way to work through my feelings.

From Salon

Related Words

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