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

Rory Burns won't forget hearing the death rattle behind his legs first ball to signify that this tour wasn't going to start or end well. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Biden and Trump met for nearly two hours in a traditional meeting between the incoming and outgoing presidents that signifies the peaceful transition of power. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024

Fever is the mark of eros; the decay of a diseased body signifies life itself. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Because symptoms can vary and could signify a different disease, diagnosing the viral infection can be difficult, the CDC explains. —Addy Bink, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024

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

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