significance
sihg-NIH-fih-kuhns
Significance (noun) means the quality of being important or having a noticeable effect. Example: “Nobody expected the small change to be of much significance to sales.”
noun
1
The quality of being important or having a noticeable effect.
"Nobody expected the small change to be of much significance to sales."
"This result is of great significance for anyone planning to build near the river."
"The discovery had huge significance for medical research."
2
The meaning of something.
"The guide explained the significance of each colour in the old flag."
"I did not grasp the significance of her smile until much later."
"Few visitors understood the significance of the ancient symbol."
"the significance of her gesture was unclear"
How to use significance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much something matters, or what it actually means.
Common pairings
statistical significance
historical significance
of great significance
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Nobody expected the small change to be of much _____ to sales.
Etymology
From Latin significantia, related to significare ("to signify").
Synonyms
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Related words
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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