indicate

verb

in·​di·​cate ˈin-də-ˌkāt 

indicated; indicating

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: show sense 5

The map indicates where the treasure is buried.

(2)

: to point out or point to

I asked for the exit and he indicated a path down the hall.

b

: to be a sign, symptom, symbol, or index of

The high fever indicates a serious condition.

A new paragraph indicates a change of subject.

c

: to demonstrate or suggest the necessity or advisability of

indicated the need for a new school

the indicated treatment

Further testing is indicated.

2

: to state or express briefly

indicated a desire to cooperate

Synonyms of indicate

• mean
• signify
• denote

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

The trove included messages indicating Lawrence Summers, who served as Harvard president from 2001 to 2006, sought relationship advice in 2019 from the disgraced financier. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025

The organization is also working on its own credentialing system for injectors, which can serve as a way to indicate that someone has proper training, says Thiersch. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025

The emails released by the House Oversight Committee indicated Summers and Epstein met for dinner frequently. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Then, the pictures disappeared, and reports indicated that Harry and Meghan had asked for the pictures to be taken down. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1651, 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