Advertisement

View synonyms for

signify

[ sig-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

signified, signifying.
  1. to make known by signs, speech, or action.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. to be a sign of; mean; portend.

    Synonyms: , , , ,



verb (used without object)

signified, signifying.
  1. to be of importance or consequence.

signify

/ ˈɪɡɪˌڲɪ /

verb

  1. tr to indicate, show, or suggest
  2. tr to imply or portend

    the clouds signified the coming storm

  3. tr to stand as a symbol, sign, etc (for)
  4. informal.
    intr to be significant or important
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈԾˌھ, noun
  • ˈԾˌھ, adjective
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • n·ھa· adjective
  • un·n·ھa· adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of signify1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English signifien, from Old French signifier, from Latin Ծھ “to make a sign, indicate, mention, denote”; equivalent to sign + -ify
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of signify1

C13: from Old French signifier, from Latin Ծھ, from signum a sign, mark + facere to make
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On Monday, Glasnow was placed on the injured list with what the team called shoulder inflammation — signifying that the pitcher sustained no structural damage, but still felt too much discomfort to continue pitching.

From

Gelasius I is widely recognised as the first pope to officially be called the "Vicar of Christ", a term that signifies the Pope's role as Christ's representative on Earth.

From

The Ayrton Light is switched on to signify that either the House of Lords or the House of Commons are sitting.

From

Boeing’s plight is just one aspect of a White House tariff policy that increasingly resembles, as Shakespeare might have put it, “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

From

It can signify poverty, but, as Oyelowo points out, it can also suggest resourcefulness, the ability to create and improvise something new and unexpected out of the available ingredients.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


signifiersignifying