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

Cardiovascular disease and dementia are major public health challenges that cause a significant burden on both healthcare and society.

From Science Daily

Knowing where the mRNA begins formation on the DNA strand is a significant part of understanding how genes are expressed.

From Science Daily

Some tenant advocates feared that by opening up existing multifamily areas to significant new development, it would cause a wave of displacement as existing buildings are knocked down.

From Los Angeles Times

The old maps of the body had the equivalent of major roads and significant geography but also areas cartographers labelled unknown or “terra incognita”.

From BBC

“The significant thing about Java,” Sahar said, “is Java came long before the ballroom was created, long before the Stonewall riots in New York, and so she was really a pioneer.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

What are other ways to say significant?

The adjective significant describes things that are important, indicative of something, or suggestive of a hidden secret meaning. Do you know when to use significant, expressive, meaningful, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com.