significance
Significance (noun) means the quality of being important or having a noticeable effect. Example: “The discovery had huge significance for medical research.”
How to use significance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much something matters, or what it actually means.
Word forms
significances plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The discovery had huge _____ for medical research.
Etymology
From Latin significantia, related to significare ("to signify").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for significance
See all rhymes for significance →Frequently asked questions
What does “significance” mean?
The word “significance” means the quality of being important or having a noticeable effect. In plain terms, how much something matters, or what it actually means.
How do you pronounce “significance”?
“Significance” is pronounced sihg-NIH-fih-kuhns (/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “significance” in a sentence?
Here is “significance” used in a sentence: “The discovery had huge significance for medical research.”
What is another word for “significance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “significance” include import, portent and portentousness.
What part of speech is “significance”?
“Significance” is a noun.
Where does the word “significance” come from?
The word “significance” comes from Latin. From Latin significantia, related to significare ("to signify").
Is “significance” a common word?
“Significance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “significance” have?
“Significance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being important or having a noticeable effect.
What is the difference between "significance" and "importance"?
"Importance" is the general quality of mattering or having value, while "significance" can mean either importance or the deeper meaning of something. Significance often hints at consequences or implications beyond the obvious, whereas importance is a plainer measure of value.
What is the difference between "significance" and "meaning"?
In one sense "significance" is a synonym for meaning, as in the significance of a symbol. But "significance" also implies importance or a noticeable effect, a nuance that "meaning" does not always carry.
When should you use "significance" instead of "relevance"?
"Relevance" describes how closely something relates to the matter at hand, while "significance" describes how important or meaningful it is. A fact can be relevant without being significant if it connects to the topic but has little real impact.
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