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

Hegseth’s loyalty is significant, because Trump has previously demonstrated willingness to extend his decision-making reach into matters traditionally left to Pentagon leaders.

From Los Angeles Times

The panel heard Ms Robinson, who had since left nursing but was still working with vulnerable people, agreed she had made "a significant error".

From BBC

After 16 years with NBC as its primary broadcast partner, IndyCar is jumping to Los Angeles-based Fox, which reportedly offered more than $25 million a year for the rights, said to be a significant increase from what NBC paid.

From Los Angeles Times

Now the county has its best chance yet to house them in significant numbers and dramatically reduce the prevalence of encampments.

From Los Angeles Times

But there was something even more significant: For a generation, conservatives — not just the far right, which Crusius appeared to identify with — had propelled the notion that climate change was a hoax fabricated so the government could impose new restrictions on the economy and society.

From Salon

Related Words

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