signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

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 wears

—Jane 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".

Synonyms

• count
• import
• matter
• mean
• weigh

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

This crown of leaves, which supposedly signified his genius, is seen in the myth of Daphne, who turned into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s unwanted advances. —Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024

That could include blood work to measure your white and red blood cell counts and potentially to look for substances that can signify cancer, as well as imaging (for instance, an ultrasound, CT scan, or PET scan) to check out what’s going on inside your lymph node(s). —Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024

For leaders across the tech industry, these developments signify a profound change, paving the way for innovation while providing safeguards critical to corporate governance. —Janakiram Msv, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

The Topps collaboration signifies Westminster’s desire to capitalize on the power of fandom that drives the sports trading card industry. —Erika Tulfo, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

signified; signifying

1

: mean entry 2 sense 2, denote

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