significantly

[sig-nif-i-kuhnt-lee]

adverb

1. in a way or as a fact that is important and deserves attention.

   Significantly, Australia was a nation born in peacetime, not war.

2. by a relatively great amount or to a relatively high degree.

   She seems to have grown significantly as a character—her decisions are more mature, for one thing.

3. in a way that carries special, secret, or private meaning.

   The detective looked significantly at the collection of pills on the table, but said nothing.

4. Statistics.,  in a way or to a degree that is unlikely to occur by chance and therefore indicates a systematic cause.

   These results show that sleep significantly affects memory organization, even in the infant brain.

Other Word Forms

• nonsignificantly adverb
• supersignificantly adverb
• unsignificantly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of significantly¹

significant ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Nothing about the gondola project has significantly changed since Metro approved it last year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, the amount used varies significantly between households, so the best way to calculate the change is to work out the percentage change from your own usual annual bill.

Read more on BBC

“That would slow consumer spending significantly. We are as close as I have ever seen to a payroll recession with the economy still growing.”

Read more on Barron's

He said the interview had been a major contribution to the worsening of his parents' relationship and contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation before she died.

Read more on BBC

The FIA, meanwhile, pointed to elements of Massa's claim being dismissed and said while the matter could proceed, it was "on significantly narrowed grounds".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• actually 
• approximately 
• necessarily 
• originally 
• permanently www.thesaurus.com
• quite 
• really 
• substantially 
• truly 
• typically 
• virtually