signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

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 wears

—Jane 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".

Synonyms

• count
• import
• matter
• mean
• weigh

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

What started five years ago has now become a special ritual, carried out on birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions, signifying the strong connection between Olesya Pavlyuk and her husband, Filipp, who have been married for eight years. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 3 May 2025

Andy Murray’s logo features his initials and the No. 77, signifying his 2013 Wimbledon win, the first by a British player in 77 years. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Unfortunately, the talented wrestler came up short, seemingly signifying the end of his in-ring career. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

While the moment catalyzes his rap career, the Warner Records signee is not new to the game, or even to mainstream rap features, as he was featured on ScHoolboy Q’s 2024 Blue Lips album, signifying his support from Hip-Hop veterans. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for signify

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

Kids Definition

signify

verb

sig·​ni·​fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 

signified; signifying

1

: mean entry 2 sense 2, denote

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