signify

[ sig-nuh-fahy ]

/ ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR signify ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fy·ing.

to make known by signs, speech, or action.

to be a sign of; mean; portend.

verb (used without object), sig·ni·fied, sig·ni·fy·ing.

to be of importance or consequence.

Words nearby signify

significative, significs, signified, signifier, signifié, signify, signifying, signing, signior, signiory, signor

Origin of signify

1200–50; Middle English signifien < Old French signifier < Latin significāre to make a sign, indicate, mention, denote. See sign, -ify

SYNONYMS FOR signify

1 signal, express, indicate.

2 represent, indicate, denote, betoken, imply.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR signify ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM signify

sig·ni·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·sig·ni·fi·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for signify

Visitors are greeted by a looming gothic gate, the kind used to signify that important residents lie behind its spires.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard|Nina Strochlic|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These days the charts are full of pop singers who spill their guts and pop songs that tell us what they're supposed to signify.
The Last Great Singer-Songwriter Album|Andrew Romano|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In other words, the important thing about the Yellow King and Carcosa isn't what they signify to Reggie Ledoux.
‘True Detective’ Episode 5 Review: ‘The Secret Fate of All Life’ is the Best Episode Yet|Andrew Romano|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the Iranians do actually accept the additional protocol, it will signify a major breakthrough.
Where Does Geneva Leave Us?|Matt Lerner|October 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

This could signify a lot of things: a renewed drive by labor, or some wrinkle in the tax code that I'm not aware of.
Why Are So Many New Labor Groups Forming?|Megan McArdle|June 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
These two names (Aryan and Semite), then, signify today rather two groups of peoples than two distinct races.
History Of Ancient Civilization|Charles Seignobos
Depression is often the only symptom; to some girls the premonitory "blues" signify the approach of the period.
The Social Emergency|Various
The young man, clinging to a cleat and watching the struggles of their craft, waved a mittened hand to signify that he agreed.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
Does it signify that everything is arranged and ordered according to the laws of the impelling power?
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 8 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
General Doby creased a little in the middle, to signify that he was bowing.
Mr. Crewe's Career, Complete|Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for signify

signify

/ (ˈsɪɡnɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (when tr, may take a clause as object)

(tr) to indicate, show, or suggest

(tr) to imply or portendthe clouds signified the coming storm

(tr) to stand as a symbol, sign, etc (for)

(intr) informal to be significant or important

Derived forms of signify

signifiable, adjectivesignifier, noun

Word Origin for signify

C13: from Old French signifier, from Latin significāre, from signum a sign, mark + facere to make

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012