Synonyms

signifier

American

[sig-nuh-fahy-er] / ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ ər /

noun

a person or thing that signifies.
Semiotics. something, such as an arrangement of sounds or symbols, an object, or an action, which constitutes a pattern or unit, and which communicates meaning.

Etymology

Origin of signifier

First recorded in 1525–35; signify + -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does signifier compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

signifier vs. signified

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A statement from trust said it had already implemented a programme of "signifier change".

From BBC

The second is that, traditionally religious identities like “evangelical Christian,” for example, have, for some, become cultural signifiers for some segment of the population.

From Salon

But he moved away from fruits, flowers and other signifiers of abundance and toward portrayals of possessions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Connolly is a fluent speaker and booster of the Irish language, which became a surprisingly important signifier in the race, as Humphreys “has no Irish,” to use the vernacular.

From Salon

Ludwig’s signifiers were castles; George’s are factories, railways and a wife dedicated to ensuring his power is acknowledged throughout the city and across the Atlantic.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023