Definition of signifier in English:
signifier
noun ˈsɪɡnɪfʌɪəˈsɪɡnəˌfaɪ(ə)r
Linguistics A sign's physical form (such as a sound, printed word, or image) as distinct from its meaning.
Compare with signified
Example sentencesExamples
- Social meaning and communication derive from a variety of signs and signifiers.
- Phonology was of linguistic interest only to the extent that sound patterns functioned as signifiers.
- They draw attention to contingent referents, the signifiers and the sign-systems that position subjects as such.
- The principal concern is the preposition ‘on’ as a signifier of contact with a surface - especially an upper surface.
- In Saussure's theory of linguistics, the signifier is the sound and the signified is the thought.
Synonyms
symbol, mark, cipher, letter, character, numeral, figure, type, code, hieroglyph
Definition of signifier in US English:
signifier
nounˈsiɡnəˌfī(ə)rˈsɪɡnəˌfaɪ(ə)r
Linguistics A sign's physical form (such as a sound, printed word, or image) as distinct from its meaning.
Compare with signified
Example sentencesExamples
- In Saussure's theory of linguistics, the signifier is the sound and the signified is the thought.
- Phonology was of linguistic interest only to the extent that sound patterns functioned as signifiers.
- Social meaning and communication derive from a variety of signs and signifiers.
- They draw attention to contingent referents, the signifiers and the sign-systems that position subjects as such.
- The principal concern is the preposition ‘on’ as a signifier of contact with a surface - especially an upper surface.
Synonyms
symbol, mark, cipher, letter, character, numeral, figure, type, code, hieroglyph