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

Kennedy declined to discuss his plans for HHS with The Times, but he has indicated some priorities for the agency in previous public statements.

From Los Angeles Times

The source also said that surveillance video captured a man leaving the package along with a note that indicated a desire to cause harm and included claims that the man had “killed before.”

From Los Angeles Times

The higher they scored, the greater loneliness was indicated.

From Science Daily

This was accompanied by heightened neuronal responsiveness to cues associated with rewards like a light turning on to indicate that food or an opioid drug was available.

From Science Daily

The MRI indicated a large tumor that has spread outside of his prostate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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