signified

American

[sig-nuh-fahyd] / ˈsɪg nəˌfaɪd /

noun

Semiotics.

the thing or concept denoted by an arrangement of sounds or symbols, an object, an action, etc., which constitutes a pattern or unit, and which communicates meaning.

Etymology

Origin of signified

First recorded in 1630–40; signify + -ed ²

Compare meaning

How does signified compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

signifier vs. signified

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The name, first used by a band of World War I-era Jewish spies, signified that no one identified in the attack would be forgotten.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform signified a breakthrough, as customers realized Palantir could provide AI solutions that were effective, Luria said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

“Just all the pain, all the suffering, all the longing, all the workouts, all the late nights, all the no-love, no-opportunity, that run signified the release of that,” his father said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

If the girl was able to chomp down on her desired apple on the first try, that signified that she was destined to be with her sweetheart.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2025

But she, alone, of all that company, looked at him and signified that there was no speech in the grave.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023