signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce signify (audio)
signified; signifying

transitive verb

1
a
: to be a sign of : mean
b
: imply
2
: to show especially by a conventional token (such as word, signal, or gesture)

intransitive verb

1
: to have significance : matter
it will not much signify what one wearsJane Austen
2
: to engage in signifying

Did you know?

Signify basically means "to make a sign or signal". One of its synonyms is indicate; the index finger is the finger you point with, so to indicate is essentially to point to something. Significant means "important" and significance means "importance;" similarly, insignificant means "unimportant" and insignificance means "lack of importance".

Examples of signify in a Sentence

A check mark next to your name signifies that you have met all the requirements. The recent decline of the stock market does not necessarily signify the start of a recession. He gave her a diamond ring to signify his love. Whether he agrees or not does not signify.
Recent Examples on the Web Unlike a lunar eclipse, which is associated with getting back on the right track, a solar eclipse signifies new beginnings. Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024 This type of vision problem can signify a severe condition. Selene Yeager, Health, 8 Apr. 2024 Historically featured in chinoiserie murals, birds often signify wealth and status when used in decor. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2024 Particularly around the solar eclipse of April 8th which is akin to a personal re-birth, signifying it’s time to press the reset button on your old relating patterns. Debbie Frank, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024 But for Samantha Edwards, an autistic content creator and neurodivergent life coach, the month also signifies an influx of harmful myths about autistic people. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024 Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term Like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton appearance signifies the next turn. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2024 Those rewards are among the most generous in the industry, and signify that the company is intent on becoming a significant player in credit card sector as part of a larger push to offer a full suite of financial services, including retirement accounts. Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 While blue honors Krishna, red represents love and fertility, yellow signifies turmeric, and green symbolizes nature and new beginnings. The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'signify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English signifien, from Anglo-French signifier, from Latin significare to indicate, signify, from signum sign

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of signify was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near signify

Cite this Entry

“Signify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

signify

verb
sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī How to pronounce signify (audio)
signified; signifying
1
2
: to show especially by a sign : make known
signified their agreement by nodding
3
: to have importance : matter
doesn't signify much what you wear

More from Merriam-Webster on signify

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