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 Words From

• non·sig·nif·i·cant·ly adverb
• su·per·sig·nif·i·cant·ly adverb
• un·sig·nif·i·cant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of significantly¹

significant ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Adding Paul is a signal to the 24-year-old Booker, who would generate significant interest if he ever sought a change of scenery, that Phoenix is serious about winning.

From Washington Post

The idea is to make scooter users and pedestrians feel safe as they navigate busy streets, which is the most significant issue plaguing cities with legalized shared e-scooters, according to Fredrik Hjelm, CEO of Voi.

From Washington Post

The trade activity already has been significant, with Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford among the high-paid players moving elsewhere.

From Washington Post

It’s worth noting, too, that Green is a significant downgrade from Richardson at this point in their respective careers.

From Washington Post

It can still be significant that he is laying a strong foundation.

From Washington Post

The death toll, which experts believe has been significantly undercut by secret burials, stands at 7,905.

From The Daily Beast

On top of oil, the United States produces significantly more natural gas than Saudi Arabia.

From The Daily Beast

Chickens require significantly less land, water, and energy than all other meat options except farmed salmon.

From The Daily Beast

However, the total U.S. population has grown significantly in the past 160 years.

From The Daily Beast

If it did, the current epidemic would look significantly worse.

From The Daily Beast

As he was a great worker all his life, “Busy,” or “ Benjamin Ceased” would significantly express his death-date.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, Virginia with approximately 135,000 farms, contributes significantly to the agricultural economy of the United States.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the remnant of a creature significantly on the dividing line between man-ape and man.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw them look at each other significantly, and he could read their thought—that he was afraid of his wife's importunities.

From Project Gutenberg

When he heard that Madame had two children, and yet had not abandoned her ambition, he nodded gravely and significantly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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