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

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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

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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

Only around a third of Angus’s 404 owners have plied their tokenized shares of the animal into the artists’ online Remorse Portal, signifying their wish to save his life.

From The Wall Street Journal

That to me felt like part of his journey right from the top in terms of that Rooster character and what that signifies to him.

From Los Angeles Times

"The decision to cut the growth target for this year is a big step that signifies this shift of policy priority."

From Barron's

Few companies signify the risk that comes with buying a hot tech IPO more than Figma.

From The Wall Street Journal

For anyone well into adulthood, it may feel jarring to be told that your brain is still an “adolescent,” but this term really just signifies that your brain is in a stage of key changes.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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