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

The ending hour signifies when the areas should be cleared of all participants as runners make their way to the finish line in downtown Miami. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025

The startup’s blend of innovation and cost efficiency underscores a transformative period for the industry, signifying a shift in the balance of power in AI technology. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025

For Jamie Kern Lima — the co-founder of IT Cosmetics, and a guest Shark on the episode — and Greiner, this signified an inventory management problem. —Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025

Red flag warnings signifying dangerous fire weather conditions were in effect for much of Southern California on Thursday as wind gusts of up to 65 mph were predicted. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025

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