indicate

American  

[in-di-keyt] / ˈɪn dɪˌkeɪt /

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.).

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indicate British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

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; 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."

Example Sentences

Large swings in the popular momentum gauge could indicate that the market is vulnerable to a reversal after moving too far, too quickly.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

The American Oversight documents also indicate that information collected during these checks goes beyond the unaccompanied minors themselves.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Detecting gamma rays in these systems could indicate a similar mix of dark matter components.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Readings above zero indicate expansion, while those below zero show contraction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Recent discoveries indicate that at least one domesticated variant, einkorn wheat, originated in the Karaçadag Hills—less than twenty miles from Göbekli Tepe.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

Related Words

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