signify
verb
sig·ni·fy
ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 
signified; signifying
2
: to show especially by a conventional token (such as word, signal, or gesture)
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".
Examples of signify in a Sentence
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
With Bitcoin presently trading around $106,000, this signifies a solid 55% gain on their investment.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Veteran Tribute This year’s AMAs signified a major leap in location and time of year.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
The ink on his crown — a large number 6 — signifies his status as the sixth member of a small but increasingly visible community: a local band of barbers and tattoo artists who call themselves Viet Chicanos.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
For many, Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Veteran Tribute This year’s AMAs signified a major leap in location and time of year.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
The ink on his crown — a large number 6 — signifies his status as the sixth member of a small but increasingly visible community: a local band of barbers and tattoo artists who call themselves Viet Chicanos.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
For many, Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
Cite this Entry
“Signify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
signify
verb
sig·ni·fy
ˈsig-nə-ˌfī
signified; signifying
2
: to show especially by a sign : make known
signified their agreement by nodding
3
: to have importance : matter
doesn't signify much what you wear
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