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 Cynthia Cox was not the last person to be named for the woman who has come to signify someone who, caught between two cultures, could not thrive or even survive. Carol Roark, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2024 This herb is supposed to signify the hard toiling the Hebrews had to endure under Pharaoh. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 19 Apr. 2024 Expanding the Prepared Food Photos library into videography and beyond signifies growth and a relentless pursuit of setting new industry standards. Jon Stojan, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024 But the show soon devolves into the usual Marvel-film-grade nonsense, with too much light and sound signifying nichts. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024 This was Russia’s first time vetoing what has previously been a routine annual vote to extend the panel’s mandate, which had signified a unified global opposition to North Korea’s expansion of its nuclear weapons program and violations of international sanctions. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 This trend signifies a shift in how companies approach talent acquisition, highlighting the growing importance of remote work in the tech industry. Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 Unlike a lunar eclipse, which is associated with getting back on the right track, a solar eclipse signifies new beginnings. Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024 This type of vision problem can signify a severe condition. Selene Yeager, Health, 8 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 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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