signify
verb
sig·ni·fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 
signified; signifying
transitive verb
1
a
: to be a sign of : mean
b
: imply
2
: to show especially by a conventional token (such as word, signal, or gesture)
intransitive verb
1
: to have significance : matter
it will not much signify what one wears
Jane Austen
Jane Austen2
: to engage in signifying
Did you know?
Signify basically means "to make a sign or signal". One of its synonyms is indicate; the index finger is the finger you point with, so to indicate is essentially to point to something. Significant means "important" and significance means "importance;" similarly, insignificant means "unimportant" and insignificance means "lack of importance".
Synonyms
- count
- import
- matter
- mean
- weigh
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
A check mark next to your name signifies that you have met all the requirements. The recent decline of the stock market does not necessarily signify the start of a recession. He gave her a diamond ring to signify his love. Whether he agrees or not does not signify.
Recent Examples on the Web This week, McKinley was one of three players wearing a colorful camouflage jersey at Friday’s practice to signify a strong week of practice. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Could have been just the index finger to signify No. 1, which could be next to his name soon. Howard Fendrich, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Six circles to signify six decades of her kindness, wisdom, strength and adventures. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 Some investors with a more cautious view take the strengthening breadth indicators to signify that stocks have climbed to levels above their fundamental value. Hannah Miao, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 But, the significance of the swing states where the group is running ads signify there could be multiple motives behind this ad campaign. Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2022 As the next crop of GameFi projects enter the fold, investors would do well to take note of factors that may signify a project’s prospects for success. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Only a few players during drills wore red jerseys, which signify injuries: cornerback Ronald Williams, wide receiver Terry Lockett Jr., and defensive end Avery Dunn. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 5 Aug. 2022 The upper-middle-class cadre of therapists who summer in the Hamptons parry bullish battle-of-the-sexes observations that signify not the fruits of radical transformation but frustration at being put back in one’s place. Hannah Gold, The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Could have been just the index finger to signify No. 1, which could be next to his name soon. Howard Fendrich, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Six circles to signify six decades of her kindness, wisdom, strength and adventures. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 9 Sep. 2022 Some investors with a more cautious view take the strengthening breadth indicators to signify that stocks have climbed to levels above their fundamental value. Hannah Miao, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2022 But, the significance of the swing states where the group is running ads signify there could be multiple motives behind this ad campaign. Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2022 As the next crop of GameFi projects enter the fold, investors would do well to take note of factors that may signify a project’s prospects for success. Leeor Shimron, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Only a few players during drills wore red jerseys, which signify injuries: cornerback Ronald Williams, wide receiver Terry Lockett Jr., and defensive end Avery Dunn. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 5 Aug. 2022 The upper-middle-class cadre of therapists who summer in the Hamptons parry bullish battle-of-the-sexes observations that signify not the fruits of radical transformation but frustration at being put back in one’s place. Hannah Gold, The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English signifien, from Anglo-French signifier, from Latin significare to indicate, signify, from signum sign
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Kids Definition
signify
verb
sig·ni·fy ˈsig-nə-ˌfī
signified; signifying
1
: mean entry 1 sense 1, denote
A check mark signifies a correct answer.
2
: to show especially by a sign : make known
She nodded to signify agreement.
3
: to have importance : matter
"It doesn't signify what you THINK … Facts is facts." Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonleasignifies
verb
1
as in means
to be of importance never mind, as the color of the room doesn't signify in the least Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- means
- matters
- weighs
- affects
- carries weight
- counts
- imports
- cuts ice
- influences
- concerns
- sways
- adds up (to)
- amounts (to)
2
as in implies
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind the symbol failed to signify anything to me—until I realized that it was upside down Synonyms & Similar Words
- means
- implies
- denotes
- indicates
- intends
- symbolizes
- spells
- expresses
- suggests
- connotes
- represents
- imports
- infers
- explains
- symbols
- specifies
- personifies
- hints
- intimates
- embodies
- announces
- epitomizes
- proclaims
- signals
- mentions
- elucidates
- designates
- insinuates
- cites
- declares
- alludes (to)
- instances
- adds up (to)
- adverts
- touches (on or upon)
- refers (to)
- points (to)
- amounts (to)
3
as in indicates
to serve as a sign or symptom of the opening of the new mall signifies the city's overdue emergence from economic depression Synonyms & Similar Words
- indicates
- denotes
- means
- betokens
- presages
- bodes
- bespeaks
- foretells
- tells (of)
- points (to)
- foreshows