signify

American  

[sig-nuh-fahy] / ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

signified, signifying

1. to make known by signs, speech, or action.

   Synonyms:

   indicate, express, signal

2. to be a sign of; mean; portend.

   Synonyms:

   imply, betoken, denote, indicate, represent

---

verb (used without object)

signified, signifying

1. to be of importance or consequence.

signify British  

/ ˈsɪɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to indicate, show, or suggest

2. (tr) to imply or portend

   the clouds signified the coming storm

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

4. informal (intr) to be significant or important

---

Other Word Forms

• signifiable adjective
• signifier noun
• unsignifiable adjective

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

Example Sentences

The Michelin Guide recommends restaurants and hotels worldwide, with its iconic star rating signifying exceptional food quality.

From BBC

The airline ended up tweaking its free-for-all boarding, introducing boarding positions and poles at every gate to signify where travelers should line up to board.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s an endearing public image signifying how much fun he is having in his senior season.

From Los Angeles Times

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

The quake had an estimated intensity of V on the modified Mercalli intensity scale, which signifies moderate shaking — strong enough to overturn unstable objects and break windows.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• add up to
• bespeak
• convey
• imply
• manifest
• portend
• proclaim
• represent
• spell
• stand for
• suggest
• symbolize