signify
Americanverb (used with object)
-
signifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
signified,
past participle, past
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signifying
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
signifies,
present (3rd person singular)
-
signified,
past participle, past
-
signifying
present participle
verb
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(tr) to indicate, show, or suggest
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(tr) to imply or portend
the clouds signified the coming storm
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(tr) to stand as a symbol, sign, etc (for)
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informal (intr) to be significant or important
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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signifysimple
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signifiessimple
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have signifiedperfect
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has signifiedperfect
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am signifyingprogressive
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are signifyingprogressive
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is signifyingprogressive
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have been signifyingperfect progressive
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has been signifyingperfect progressive
Past
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signifiedsimple
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had signifiedperfect
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was signifyingprogressive
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were signifyingprogressive
-
had been signifyingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of signify
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English signifien, from Old French signifier, from Latin significāre “to make a sign, indicate, mention, denote”; equivalent to sign + -ify
Explanation
To signify means to "mean." When Paul Revere looked for the lanterns in the church tower, he knew that one would signify that the British were coming by land and two would indicate that they were coming by sea. When objects are endowed with symbolic meaning, they are said to signify things. A dove signifies peace, a six-pointed star signifies Judaism, a frog signifies fertility, a trident signifies the Hindu Shiva or the Greek Poseidon.
Vocabulary lists containing signify
Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 4
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Divergent
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Tears of a Tiger
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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.
See Examples For:
Downing Street published a list of the nominations, external and said the King "has been graciously pleased to signify his intention of conferring peerages".
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
The rally is causing momentum indicators to flash signals that could signify a heavily crowded trade ripe for a correction.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026
Disney said in its news release that it is a new certification for premium large format theaters and “will signify to audiences which auditoriums offer the biggest, brightest, and most immersive cinematic experiences.”
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
In my research, I’ve studied how artists from antiquity to the present have used gestures of turning away to signify human confrontations with the most difficult aspects of life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
“They signify works from Monsieur Sinclair’s personal collection,” explained Gilles.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
The clash signifies a significant break in the relationship between Smith and the NABJ, which hosted Smith and live broadcasts of his show at its 2024 and 2025 conventions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
For Ibrahim, this correlation signifies that the source of interest in copper is its long-term potential in the AI industry.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Dahlia Lithwick: This seems like a very technical case, but that 6–3 split signifies a lot.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
A hale and hearty speed signifies that your body’s systems—including your heart, lungs, muscles and nervous system—are working well together.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
For Catholics, this moment signifies you have been fully welcomed into the Christian faith community, and that you have pledged to let God’s love and grace guide you always.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
The name, first used by a band of World War I-era Jewish spies, signified that no one identified in the attack would be forgotten.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
"So that wall of noise, for me, signified breaking out of a traditional mould, both as a human, but also musically."
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform signified a breakthrough, as customers realized Palantir could provide AI solutions that were effective, Luria said.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 4, 2026
This time, there were no protests, no one declaring that malinchismo — behavior mirroring that of Malinche — signified a peculiar iteration of Mexican self-hatred.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2026
He was still in mourning for his Father, King Pellinore—and he signified this by wearing a black sash on his shield arm.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Davis, 53, announced the news with an Instagram video on Tuesday that showed the actor ringing the Bell of Hope, signifying she’d completed a round of cancer treatment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
As the national market remains stagnant, a shift is underway in many local real-estate markets, signifying a major turning point.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
He wore a black turban, signifying direct descendance from the Prophet Muhammad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
Head of football operations Damian Vidagany held his hands on his head at the final whistle, signifying a release of pressure, before embracing Tielemans.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
“Looks like you might need a costume change,” Autumn signs to me, signifying costume by taking two hands to her chest and making a brushing motion away from herself.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
