indicate

verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt 

indicated; indicating

transitive verb

1

a

: to point out or point to

b

: to be a sign, symptom, or index of

the high fever indicates a serious condition

c

: to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability of

indicated the need for a new school

the indicated treatment

2

: to state or express briefly

indicated a desire to cooperate

Synonyms

• bespeak
• betoken
• denote
• mean
• point (to)
• signify
• tell (of)

Examples of indicate in a Sentence

Our records indicate a depth of 3,000 feet here.

The map indicates where the treasure is buried.

There is nothing to indicate that the two events are connected.

The size of his offer indicates that he is eager to buy the house.

The general used a long ruler to indicate on the map exactly where the troops would land.

We asked how to get to the rear entrance, and he indicated a path leading around the right side of the building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Asthmatic respiratory crisis indicates the pope struggled to maintain a sufficient oxygen level when breathing on his own, according to medical experts. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2025

Research indicates that relationship satisfaction tends to decrease between the ages of 20 and 40, reaching a low point around age 40. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025

Data delayed 15 minutes unless otherwise indicated (view delay times for all exchanges). —Quartz, 22 Feb. 2025

Research indicates that Black children and their parents are three times more fearful of drowning than Caucasian children and their parents. —Cullen Jones, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin indicatus, past participle of indicare, from in- + dicare to proclaim, dedicate — more at diction

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for indicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

indicate

verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt 

indicated; indicating

1

a

: to point out or point to

b

: to be a sign of

flowers indicating the arrival of spring

2

: to state or express briefly : suggest

Medical Definition

indicate

transitive verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt 

indicated; indicating

1

: to be a fairly certain symptom of : show the presence or existence of

the high fever indicates a serious condition

2

: to call for especially as treatment for a particular condition

radical surgery is often indicated in advanced cancer