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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1925, the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini chose a live turtle to signify their long-lasting spirit of competition. Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025 The Cree, located primarily in Canada, know it as the molting moon to indicate the time of year when birds are shedding their feathers, while the Tlingit tribe in the Pacific Northwest Coast call it the salmon moon to signify the seasonal salmon migrations. Gina Park, CNN Money, 9 July 2025 For the last four-quarter period, AES's Net Income was $1.3 billion – signifying a moderate Net Income Margin of 10.7% (compared to 11.6% for the S&P 500) How Stable is AES Financially? Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 The Cree peoples called it the Feather Moulting Moon, while the Salmon Moon is a term used by the Tlingit to signify the return of the fish to the area. Hannah Poukish july 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for signify

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Signify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!