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
This public vitriol signifies a point of no return.
—Khaled Hassan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The women of #MomTok have been in high demand, and Paul’s leading Bachelorette status further signifies that.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
The Forbes 400 2025 Philanthropy Score Breakdown A total of 74% of Forbes 400 members scored a 1 (signifying lifetime giving of less than 1%) or a 2 (less than 5%).
—Ella Malmgren, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The September full moon is also called the harvest moon, signifying the end of the growing season.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
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Khaled Hassan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The women of #MomTok have been in high demand, and Paul’s leading Bachelorette status further signifies that.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
The Forbes 400 2025 Philanthropy Score Breakdown A total of 74% of Forbes 400 members scored a 1 (signifying lifetime giving of less than 1%) or a 2 (less than 5%).
—Ella Malmgren, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The September full moon is also called the harvest moon, signifying the end of the growing season.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 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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