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 The match signifies Netflix's venture into live sports broadcasting. Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 Here, the transition signifies Bella Baxter’s (Emma Stone) progressive discovery of her own agency, through her investigations of the world and her own body. Jacob Brogan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Don’t Speak, Just Kiss signifies Liu Lian’s inaugural venture into complete artistic autonomy as a soloist. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 This funding, aimed at propelling the EV charging infrastructure in the state, signifies a significant investment in Universal EV Chargers' unwavering commitment to offering convenient and accessible charging solutions for electric vehicle users. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024 Awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the CPA designation signifies a high level of expertise and ethics in accounting practices. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 As Africa leads in bitcoin adoption and innovation, fueled by a young demographic and a pressing need for alternative financial solutions, projects like Strike Africa and Ethiopia's tech expansion signify a time of change. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Thursday’s layoff signifies continued tensions between Google and its workers, some of whom in 2021 formed a union. Danielle Abril, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Eid al-Fitr is the festival that signifies the end of Ramadan. Jordan Green, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 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 19 Mar. 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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