significant

[ sig-nif-i-kuhnt ]

adjective

1. important and deserving of attention; of consequence:

   Their advice played a significant role in saving my marriage.

   Synonyms: weighty, momentous, consequential

2. relatively large in amount or quantity:

   a significant decrease in revenue.

3. having or expressing a meaning; indicative:

   a significant symbol of royalty.

4. having a special, secret, or disguised meaning; suggestive:

   a significant wink.

5. Statistics. of or relating to observations that are unlikely to occur by chance and that therefore indicate a systematic cause:

   Memory training produced a statistically significant improvement in group performance.

noun

1. something significant; a sign.

significant

/ sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

adjective

1. having or expressing a meaning; indicative
2. having a covert or implied meaning; suggestive
3. important, notable, or momentous
4. statistics of or relating to a difference between a result derived from a hypothesis and its observed value that is too large to be attributed to chance and that therefore tends to refute the hypothesis

Derived Forms

• sigˈnificantly, adverb

Other Words From

• sig·nif·i·cant·ly adverb
• non·sig·nif·i·cant adjective
• su·per·sig·nif·i·cant adjective
• un·sig·nif·i·cant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of significant¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin significant- (stem of significāns ), present participle of the verb significāre “to indicate, denote”; signify, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of significant¹

C16: from Latin significāre to signify

Example Sentences

Close noted that Sellers has shown significant improvement, particularly in her ability to drive and score efficiently in transition.

From Los Angeles Times

What is significant to Um about this specific Southeast Asian curriculum is the conscious centering of community voices.

From Los Angeles Times

They hear evidence, take expert testimony, are presented with alternative views and then, more often than not, come to significant consensus, often on issues where politicians have repeatedly failed.

From Salon

Among the significant examples Kay found were a preference for multilateralism over unilateralism after the end of the Cold War, for investments in renewable energy over fossil fuels and nuclear energy and for proactive democratic reforms rather than business as usual.

From Salon

There’s a significant difference between the self-defined emerging Bluesky community and the top-down model Bail suggests for political discussion.

From Salon

Related Words

• big
• consequential
• considerable
• meaningful
• momentous
• notable
• noteworthy
• serious
• substantial
• vital