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

Meanwhile, another new Lenovo laptop could signify the beginning of the end for one of the company’s trademark technologies: the trackpoint. —Barry Collins, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Pink areas on the coasts note regions with winter storm warnings; bright purple on the coasts notes storm warnings; and light blue areas signify cold weather warnings. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The sword might have been a gift from a royal, Sayer adds, and it may have been used for generations—signifying social status—before accompanying its last owner to the grave. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

On a more macro-level, McCarty and Garrett’s dilemma signifies Dylan’s own struggle with modernity, always feeling out of time and out of place, but ultimately, for better and for worse, allowing that to become part of his character. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 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

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