Synonyms

signified

American

[sig-nuh-fahyd] / ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪd /

noun

Semiotics.

the thing or concept denoted by an arrangement of sounds or symbols, an object, an action, etc., which constitutes a pattern or unit, and which communicates meaning.

Etymology

Origin of signified

First recorded in 1630–40; signify + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does signified compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

signifier vs. signified

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Either way, its existence signified a shift in the conversation, the advancement of values.

From New York Times

Ro questioned the status quo and valued her personal identity — as was signified by her insisting on wearing her Bajoran earring, which Jean-Luc astutely notes is missing when we see her again.

From New York Times

She analyzes her prior belief in “the fantasy of toughness — the idea that lack of feeling signified mastery of it.”

From Los Angeles Times

The royal blog also noted the card’s black border, a typeset feature they said signified "mourning" and is an "old Victorian-era tradition."

From Fox News

Some legal experts said it was too early to tell what the seven scattered cases signified, and one lawyer suggested Mr. Garland could have been even more assertive.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023