Signify

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Signify" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate or express something, often in a formal or literary context. An example: "The red light will signify that the machine is inoperable." Alternative expressions include "indicate," "represent," and "denote."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is, they use it to signify that they are 'professional' when they start working – rather than drinking soft fizzy drinks".

The Guardian

Would that be asking for too much?" In the context of Chinese film, though, Zhang's casting of an American star does not signify an apology for telling a Chinese story.

The Guardian - Film

Christine Lagarde, the boss of the International Monetary Fund, said Greece's exit from the eurozone is a possibility – but it would not signify an end to the single currency.

The Guardian

He says that this dizziness and vomiting in the fields would signify CKD in its late stages which, if you're well enough to be out working, you're unlikely to have.

The Guardian

It's meant to signify the company's intention to build something that lasts far longer than any of the people within it now, whatever happens with its financial structure (for example, going public) or management team.

The Guardian - Tech

Shortly thereafter, a salacious video for Miley Cyrus's Adore You materialised, in which the singer runs a sly hand down her body to signify that she too will procure her own pleasure – a routine she's also decided to play up on her current Bangerz tour.

The Guardian - Music

In these same wartime scenarios, nudity can be employed to signify active resistance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Do ladders signify transcendence or the impossibility of climbing past a fixed point?

The Guardian - Arts

With clothes, it's harder, because they signify so much about wealth and our ability to consume, and people really don't seem to care about how much the person who stitched their skirt together was paid.

The Guardian - Opinion

Followers of the prime minister would be familiar with the sign-off of "TeamJG" to signify her staff tweets, and the initials "JG" when the prime minister tweets herself.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ring segments signify each party's share of the vote.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "signify" when you want to emphasize the importance or symbolic meaning behind something, particularly in formal writing or when discussing abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "signify" in overly casual or informal contexts where simpler words like "mean" or "show" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "signify" is as a verb. It is used to express that something is a sign or indication of something else. Ludwig AI examples show it indicating meanings, intentions, or relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "signify" functions as a verb to indicate meaning or importance, often with symbolic weight. Ludwig AI confirms the word is grammatically sound and its analysis reveals a very common usage, predominantly in news and business contexts. When aiming for clarity in formal writing, remember that while "signify" is effective, alternatives like "represent" or "indicate" may suit certain contexts better. Be mindful to avoid overuse in overly casual language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

represent

This term focuses on the act of standing in place of something else, often in a symbolic way.

indicate

This suggests a pointing out or showing, either directly or indirectly.

denote

This emphasizes the explicit meaning or definition of something.

imply

This suggests meaning indirectly or subtly, rather than stating it outright.

suggest

This is similar to imply but can also mean to propose or recommend.

betoken

This is a more formal or literary term for foreshadowing or indicating.

symbolize

This highlights the use of symbols to represent abstract ideas or qualities.

stand for

This phrase is a more casual way of saying represent or symbolize.

point to

This indicates a direction or focus, suggesting a connection to something else.

evince

This term describes showing or revealing the presence of (a quality or feeling).

FAQs

How can I use "signify" in a sentence?

You can use "signify" to indicate that something represents or means something else, as in "The rising stock prices "signify growing investor confidence"".

What can I say instead of "signify"?

You can use alternatives like "represent", "indicate", or "denote" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "signify" or "signifies"?

"Signify" is the base form of the verb. "Signifies" is the third-person singular present tense form, used when the subject is singular (e.g., "The symbol signifies hope").

What's the difference between "signify" and "imply"?

"Signify" means to be evidence of or a symbol for, while "imply" means to suggest something without explicitly stating it. "Signify" is more direct, while "imply" is more indirect.