signify
pronunciation
How to pronounce signify in British English:
UK [ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ]
How to pronounce signify in American English:
US [ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ]
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- Verb:
- denote or connote
- convey or express a meaning
- make known with a word or signal
Word Origin
- signify (v.)
- late 13c., "be a sign of, indicate, mean," from Old French signifier (12c.), from Latin significare "to make signs, show by signs, point out, express; mean, signify; foreshadow, portend," from significus (adj.), from signum "sign" (see sign (n.)) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Intransitive sense of "to be of importance" is attested from 1660s. Meaning "engage in mock-hostile banter" is American English black slang first recorded 1932. ...'signifying,' which in Harlemese means making a series of oblique remarks apparently addressed to no one in particular, but unmistakable in intention in such a close-knit circle. ["Down Beat," March 7, 1968]
Synonym
come send out blurt known speak impart open across express about transmit sign announce divulge signal bring disclose convey make lay tell communicate pronounce voice on flag proclaim with wigwag utter reveal breathe pass put telegraph semaphore of declare
Antonym
Example
- 1. So what might the criticism signify ?
- 2. So the tone of tuesday 's address may signify nothing about the obama administration 's future policy .
- 3. Would a default by greece signify the end of the euro ?
- 4. These quarrels signify a problem that is more than superficial .
- 5. You have probably heard these words , and perhaps even suffered from what they signify , with or without knowing it .