indicate

[in-di-keyt]

verb (used with object)

indicated, indicating 

1. to be a sign of; betoken; evidence; show.

   His hesitation really indicates his doubt about the venture.

2. to point out or point to; direct attention to.

   to indicate a place on a map.

3. to show, as by measuring or recording; make known.

   The thermometer indicates air temperature.

   Synonyms: record, reveal, register

4. to state or express, especially briefly or in a general way; signal.

   He indicated his disapproval but did not go into detail.

5. Medicine/Medical.

   1. (of symptoms) to point out (a particular remedy, treatment, etc.) as suitable or necessary.

   2. to show the presence of (a condition, infection, etc.).

indicate

/ ˈɪndɪˌkeɪt, -trɪ, ɪnˈdɪkətərɪ /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to be or give a sign or symptom of; imply

   cold hands indicate a warm heart

2. to point out or show

3. (may take a clause as object) to state briefly; suggest

   he indicated what his feelings were

4. (of instruments) to show a reading of

   the speedometer indicated 50 miles per hour

5. (usually passive) to recommend or require

   surgery seems to be indicated for this patient

Other Word Forms

• indicatable adjective
• indicatory adjective
• interindicate verb (used with object)
• reindicate verb (used with object)
• unindicated adjective
• well-indicated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

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; index, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

C17: from Latin indicāre to point out, from _in- ² + dicāre to proclaim; compare _index

Example Sentences

These results indicate that many volcanoes containing viscous magma may vent gas more effectively than previously assumed.

Read more on Science Daily

The same fault segment can slip again within hours or days, which indicates the fault has partially regained strength and that stress has returned very quickly.

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These remains indicate that enormous sharks shared the top of the food chain with giant marine reptiles during the Age of Dinosaurs.

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The last entry in the log was from 12:20 p.m., indicating that an L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The observations indicate that the asteroid has a bright surface and is probably a solid piece of rock, possibly originating from a fractured planet or another asteroid.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• announce 
• argue 
• demonstrate 
• express 
• hint 
• illustrate 
• imply 
• make 
• mark 
• mean 
• pinpoint 
• point out 
• prove 
• reveal 
• show 
• signal 
• specify 
• suggest