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