signify
verb
sig·ni·fy
ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 
signified; signifying
2
: to show especially by a conventional token (such as word, signal, or gesture)
1
: to have significance : matter
it will not much signify what one wears—
Jane Austen
Jane Austen2
: 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 Republican Party mentioned education 31 times in their 1980 Republican Platform, signifying the immediate concern of education policy and a shift towards bipartisan focus on schooling issues.
—Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made By History, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
The researchers concluded that the uptick in online searches signifies the need for public health officials to stay in front of the issue of gambling addiction, including through research and a comprehensive health care response.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025
Yet Saturday morning in Oakland was just a singular blip on Harden’s All-Star experience, one this year that signifies his return to being celebrated alongside the NBA’s best.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Its clean lines with plumb bow at first appear European, though the twin outboards at the stern signify it as an American boat.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
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Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made By History, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
The researchers concluded that the uptick in online searches signifies the need for public health officials to stay in front of the issue of gambling addiction, including through research and a comprehensive health care response.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025
Yet Saturday morning in Oakland was just a singular blip on Harden’s All-Star experience, one this year that signifies his return to being celebrated alongside the NBA’s best.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Its clean lines with plumb bow at first appear European, though the twin outboards at the stern signify it as an American boat.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
Cite this Entry
“Signify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
signify
verb
sig·ni·fy
ˈsig-nə-ˌfī
signified; signifying
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
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