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
During the era of the former Prince Regent, colour was used as a status symbol and the decadent colour scheme employed by his interior designers– from opulent gold to aristocratic purple–was a status symbol used by the aristocracy to signify wealth and good taste.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
An all-women Blue Origin spaceflight signifies only that several women have amassed the social capital to be friends with Lauren Sánchez.
—Amanda Hess, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
What do the different drawings on the paintings scattered around rooms signify?
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Even though the name of the app signifies a mobile passport, travelers will still need to present a valid, physical passport as part of the security process when using the app.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
An all-women Blue Origin spaceflight signifies only that several women have amassed the social capital to be friends with Lauren Sánchez.
—Amanda Hess, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
What do the different drawings on the paintings scattered around rooms signify?
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
Even though the name of the app signifies a mobile passport, travelers will still need to present a valid, physical passport as part of the security process when using the app.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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