signifying

[ sig-nuh-fahy-ing ]
/ ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪ ɪŋ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR signifying ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

sounding1(def 4)

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of signifying

First recorded in 1955–60; signify + -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM signifying

un·sig·ni·fy·ing, adjective

Words nearby signifying

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

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

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. 2020

Words related to signifying

represent, suggest, spell, portend, imply, manifest, convey, bespeak, symbolize, proclaim, mean, exhibit, show, sign, denote, evince, carry, connote, flash, insinuate

Example sentences from the Web for signifying

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