significantly

American  

[sig-nif-i-kuhnt-lee] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kənt li /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsignificantly adverb
• supersignificantly adverb
• unsignificantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of significantly

significant ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Anything that happens significantly happens in a big way. A significantly happier person has gotten much happier. Moving into a significantly bigger house means you can finally get that indoor pony. Significant things are important. When you see the word significantly, you know something is a big deal. A significantly higher tax rate would upset many people, because taxes went up a lot. A significantly lower-than-usual snowfall would upset skiers, because no one likes skiing on dry ground. A significantly timed speech happens at a time that is meaningful for some reason, like on a major holiday. This word often means the same as importantly.

Example Sentences

"Germany is on the right track," he said, pointing out that his country has significantly boosted its military spending in recent years.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

In a small, early stage study, the company said its drug significantly reduced polyps in patients.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

"This suggests that abdominal pressure can rapidly and significantly alter the position of the brain within the skull."

From Science Daily • May 1, 2026

Therefore, Newman said the deals “should significantly reduce volatility in the price going forward” and lead to sustained and structurally higher earnings over time.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

But unbeknownst to King, Johnson went significantly further than cutting off contact.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Related Words

• actually
• approximately
• necessarily
• originally
• permanently
• quite
• really
• substantially
• truly
• typically
• virtually