indicate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
indicates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
indicated,
past participle, past
-
indicating
present participle
-
to be a sign of; betoken; evidence; show.
His hesitation really indicates his doubt about the venture.
-
to point out or point to; direct attention to.
to indicate a place on a map.
-
to show, as by measuring or recording; make known.
The thermometer indicates air temperature.
-
to state or express, especially briefly or in a general way; signal.
He indicated his disapproval but did not go into detail.
-
Medicine/Medical.
-
(of symptoms) to point out (a particular remedy, treatment, etc.) as suitable or necessary.
-
to show the presence of (a condition, infection, etc.).
-
verb
-
(may take a clause as object) to be or give a sign or symptom of; imply
cold hands indicate a warm heart
-
to point out or show
-
(may take a clause as object) to state briefly; suggest
he indicated what his feelings were
-
(of instruments) to show a reading of
the speedometer indicated 50 miles per hour
-
(usually passive) to recommend or require
surgery seems to be indicated for this patient
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
interindicateverb (used with object)
-
reindicateverb (used with object)
-
indicatableadjective
-
indicatoryadjective
-
unindicatedadjective
-
well-indicatedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
indicatesimple
-
indicatessimple
-
have indicatedperfect
-
has indicatedperfect
-
am indicatingprogressive
-
are indicatingprogressive
-
is indicatingprogressive
-
have been indicatingperfect progressive
-
has been indicatingperfect progressive
Past
-
indicatedsimple
-
had indicatedperfect
-
was indicatingprogressive
-
were indicatingprogressive
-
had been indicatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of indicate
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin indicātus, past participle of indicāre “to point, make known,” equivalent to indic- (stem of index ) “pointer, marker, informer” + -ātus past participle suffix; see index, -ate 1
Explanation
To indicate means to point something out or to present evidence. If you feel sick during a car trip, you can indicate this to the driver by groaning loudly or announcing "I'm going to be sick!" Scientists rely on data from experiments to indicate whether their theories are correct. Indicate can also describe a symptom or signal of something else. For example, a stock market recovery could indicate growing public confidence — or foolishness, depending on which expert you ask. The verb indicate comes from the noun indication, which in turn comes from the Latin word indicare, meaning "something that points out or shows."
Vocabulary lists containing indicate
The Language of Standardized Tests, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Our findings indicate that changes in mitochondrial function lead to the synthesis of cell surface sugar-derived molecules that make it difficult for the immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells," said Tharp.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026
Performances like this will indicate that they need a vast improvement from this set of players that have come into this club.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
That would seem to indicate that Bennett, not rookie Ty Simpson, will open the season as Matthew Stafford’s backup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Elevated delinquencies don’t indicate a program in distress.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
There wasn’t even a message scrolling across the LCD sign behind the counter to indicate that the plane had arrived or where it’d come from.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Realtor.com data also indicates that Harry and Meghan could at least list their home for well above the $16.73 million valuation.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
The difference, or tail, indicates bidders demanded a higher return for the risk of holding long-term government debt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The tablet records a royal grant and indicates that Tiglath-pileser probably ruled from roughly 763-762 BCE before eventually being deposed.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
But the US Geological Survey, which studies earthquakes, has now said that further analysis indicates "that the seismic energy was instead generated by a landslide" by itself.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
It indicates that you are sorry and would like forgiveness.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Press reports indicated Elliott has taken a stake in the French supplier of industrial gases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
The jury on Wednesday indicated to Judge William Sullivan that it had reached a stalemate again on the fifth day of deliberations.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
It was 22% contained as of Tuesday evening as fire crews indicated progress in controlling the blaze had been made.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Preliminary information suggested it was caused by an earthquake, but the US Geological Survey said additional analysis indicated "the seismic energy was instead generated by a landslide".
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
“In animal coloring and camouflage,” Mr. Lyons practically yelled, “what characteristic is usually indicated by bright, vivid colors?”
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
"We spotted life buoys and a lifeboat but it was empty. Unfortunately, no survivors have been found so far," he said, indicating that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
Advisers don’t see the recent bond selloff as a red flag indicating a tanking economy.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026
At full-time, the xG was 1.43 to Newcastle and 2.73 to Liverpool - indicating Newcastle had ruthlessly seized their opportunities against Iraola's side.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
"Overall, the wide range of effects we found could reflect different pathogenetic mechanisms, perhaps indicating that depression is not just one disease," she adds.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
Every other company emblem indicating the ship was meant to be a luxury liner has been erased.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
