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

That study also showed a significant increase in survival when high-dose, IV vitamin C was added to standard of care chemotherapy and radiation.

From Science Daily

But U.S. officials have lately been citing what they call a significant escalation on Moscow’s part: the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to fight on the Russian side.

From Los Angeles Times

A subsequent post-mortem examination on Mr Rollinson revealed he had significant heart disease and would have most likely been "at risk of a sudden cardiac arrest at any time".

From BBC

The infusion of new talent and ideas is a significant change from when Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island disaster in 1979 and the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986 devastated the industry.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a significant move ahead of another long hard winter.

From BBC

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.