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
Elsewhere in the Variety interview, Shakira noted that Bad Bunny's ascension signifies the rise of Spanish-language pop around the world.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
And how hot would the Universe have gotten, at maximum, once inflation came to an end and the Universe became filled with matter and radiation, signifying the start of the hot Big Bang?
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
Joel notices it repeatedly—in his father’s possessions, in notes, and even in visions—signifying both imbalance and a recurring pattern in the Lazarus family.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, accused Platner of knowing what the tattoo signified in a Facebook post, according to news reports.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for signify
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Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
And how hot would the Universe have gotten, at maximum, once inflation came to an end and the Universe became filled with matter and radiation, signifying the start of the hot Big Bang?
—Big Think, 22 Oct. 2025
Joel notices it repeatedly—in his father’s possessions, in notes, and even in visions—signifying both imbalance and a recurring pattern in the Lazarus family.
—Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Platner’s former political director, Genevieve McDonald, accused Platner of knowing what the tattoo signified in a Facebook post, according to news reports.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 22 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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