signifying

[ sig-nuh-fahy-ing ]

/ ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR signifying ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

sounding¹(def 4)

Nearby words

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

Origin of signifying

First recorded in 1955–60; signify + -ing¹

Related forms

un·sig·ni·fy·ing, adjective

Definition for signifying (2 of 2)

signify

[ sig-nuh-fahy ]

/ ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ /

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.

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 MORE SYNONYMS FOR signify ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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 signifying

David Foster Wallace even named a chapter in his tome Brief Interviews with Hideous Men “Signifying Nothing.”
James Franco and Scott Haze on 'The Sound and the Fury' and Gawker 'Outing' Them As A 'Couple'|Marlow Stern|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a cosmic rout, signifying the end of an order, even the death of Spanish football as it is currently played.
Dutch Treat: The Netherlands Sinks Spain In World Cup 2014|Tunku Varadarajan|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So instead, Republican senators have launched an attack on Hagel filled with sound and fury but signifying very little.
Anti-Hagel GOP Effort Turns Farce|Peter Beinart|February 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The New New Goatee can be worn at home or at the office, by the hip and unhip alike, signifying, well, just about anything.
What Does a Goatee Say About You?|Bryan Curtis|November 12, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Holding his steed with a firm grip, he raised his right hand to the shouting besiegers, signifying that he wished to speak.
Legends of the Rhine|Wilhelm Ruland
Frémont understands the name as signifying a trough; while Winthrop interprets it as plates, or slabs, of rock.
Oregon and Eldorado|Thomas Bulfinch
The word Eden, signifying pleasure or delight, is expressive of their excellent residence.
The Mosaic History of the Creation of the World|Thomas Wood
He turned his face toward her, signifying that he was listening.
Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall|Charles Major
There is, however, it seems a term mauther or mother still in use in the Eastern counties, and signifying young girl.
The Shakespeare-Expositor: An Aid to the Perfect Understanding of Shakespeare's Plays|Thomas Keightley

British Dictionary definitions for signifying

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

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

signifying

noun

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of signifying

Related forms

Definition for signifying (2 of 2)

signify

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

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

Origin of signify

SYNONYMS FOR signify

Related forms

Examples from the Web for signifying

British Dictionary definitions for signifying

signify

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

Derived Forms

Word Origin for signify