signifying

[ sig-nuh-fahy-ing ]

/ ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR signifying ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

sounding¹(def 4)

Words nearby signifying

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

Origin of signifying

First recorded in 1955–60; signify + -ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM signifying

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 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 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 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