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

Gas stations still have the ability to set their own price per gallon, meaning there is a significant range in prices seen across the region.

From Los Angeles Times

And beyond his outsize presence on the course, Woods has played a leading role reshaping the PGA Tour while it prepares to undergo significant change.

From The Wall Street Journal

A colonoscopy found "something of a significant size and of a significant concern".

From BBC

Shepard said the "significant reduction in force" was not based on employee performance.

From BBC

The Low Pay Commission, the government agency which recommended the increases, said previous minimum wage rises for over-21s had "not had a significant negative impact on jobs".

From BBC

Related Words

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