sig·ni·fy
ˈsig-nə-ˌfī 
signified; signifying
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
Verb
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
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
And in many Indigenous societies, the color, length, and placement of fringe acted as a coat of arms, signifying one’s family, tribe, or position in the community.
—
Faran Krentcil,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
Other notable sites include Dead Horse Gulch, a name that signifies the challenges faced by Gold Rush travelers, and Bridal Veil Falls, featuring a 300-foot-high waterfall.
—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
Democrats may be looking at a different kind of red wave this year based on Tuesday night’s primary results, a throwback to when the color red signified not the Republican Party, but socialism.
—
W. James Antle Iii,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for signify
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Today, the brand's ecosystem includes wellness clubs and destination experiences, reflecting how athleisure has become a modern uniform signifying values.
—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
And in many Indigenous societies, the color, length, and placement of fringe acted as a coat of arms, signifying one’s family, tribe, or position in the community.
—
Faran Krentcil,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
Other notable sites include Dead Horse Gulch, a name that signifies the challenges faced by Gold Rush travelers, and Bridal Veil Falls, featuring a 300-foot-high waterfall.
—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2026
Democrats may be looking at a different kind of red wave this year based on Tuesday night’s primary results, a throwback to when the color red signified not the Republican Party, but socialism.
—
W. James Antle Iii,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for signify
Cite this Entry
“Signify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/signify. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
