significant

American  

[sig-nif-i-kuhnt] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kənt /

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.

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noun

1. something significant; a sign.

significant British  

/ 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

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Usage

What are other ways to say significant? The adjective significant describes things that are important, indicative of something, or suggestive of a hidden secret meaning. Do you know when to use significant, expressive, meaningful, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

• nonsignificant adjective
• significantly adverb
• supersignificant adjective
• unsignificant adjective

Etymology

Origin of significant

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

Example Sentences

Already guaranteed to progress, England needed 42 from the last 17 balls on a slow pitch which offered significant assistance for the spinners throughout.

From BBC

The new plans are a significant change to Artemis programme.

From BBC

Now 52, Huntley has suffered significant head trauma from his injuries and is undergoing treatment.

From BBC

He is expected to update France's nuclear doctrine, with a member of his team telling AFP to expect "fairly significant shifts and developments" but declining to give any further details.

From Barron's

The plans have been in development ever since the vote to leave the EU and environmental campaigners said seeing them get passed was a "significant milestone".

From BBC

Related Words

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