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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

signify

SIHG-nih-feye

Signify (verb) means to be a sign of; to indicate or represent something. Example: “A red light signifies danger.”

verb
1
To be a sign of; to indicate or represent something.
"A red light signifies danger."
"The ring signified their engagement."
2
To make known one's intention or feelings, often through a gesture or statement.
"He signified his approval with a nod."

How to use signify

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo be a sign or symbol of something, or to make a meaning or intention clear.

Common pairings
signify agreement signify importance

Word forms

signified past tense, signifies singular

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Etymology

From Old French signifier, from Latin significare, from signum ("sign") + facere ("to make").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for signify

See all rhymes for signify →

Frequently asked questions

What does “signify” mean?

The word “signify” means to be a sign of; to indicate or represent something. In plain terms, to be a sign or symbol of something, or to make a meaning or intention clear.

How do you pronounce “signify”?

“Signify” is pronounced SIHG-nih-feye (/ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “signify” in a sentence?

Here is “signify” used in a sentence: “A red light signifies danger.”

What is another word for “signify”?

Words with a similar meaning to “signify” include mean, betoken and import.

What part of speech is “signify”?

“Signify” is a verb.

Where does the word “signify” come from?

The word “signify” comes from Latin. From Old French signifier, from Latin significare, from signum ("sign") + facere ("to make").

Is “signify” a common word?

“Signify” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “signify” have?

“Signify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be a sign of; to indicate or represent something.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial