signify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "signify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has a special meaning or importance. Example: His silence seemed to signify something deep had occurred.

✓ 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" to convey a specific meaning or importance, especially when you want to highlight the symbolic or representative nature of something. For instance, use it to describe what an action or gesture implies beyond its literal appearance.

Common error

Avoid using "signify" in very casual or informal writing where simpler words like "mean" or "show" would be more appropriate. Overusing "signify" in everyday conversation can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "signify" is as a verb. It is used to indicate that something has a particular meaning or importance. Ludwig AI shows that "signify" is often used to describe what actions, symbols, or events represent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "signify" is a verb used to indicate that something has a particular meaning or importance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media and formal business contexts. It’s best used to convey meaning beyond the literal, highlighting symbolic or representative aspects. Related phrases include "indicate", "represent", and "denote". A key writing tip is to avoid overusing "signify" in informal contexts where simpler words would suffice. Remember to use it to add depth and emphasis to your writing, ensuring clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate

Implies pointing out or showing something, often indirectly.

represent

Suggests standing in for or symbolizing something else.

denote

Focuses on the literal or explicit meaning of something.

imply

Suggests meaning indirectly or subtly.

suggest

Similar to imply, but can also mean to propose an idea.

symbolize

Emphasizes the use of a symbol to represent something abstract.

betoken

A more formal and somewhat archaic synonym for signify.

stand for

A common and direct way to express representation or meaning.

evince

To show clearly; evidence.

bespeak

To indicate or suggest something; to be evidence of.

FAQs

How can I use "signify" in a sentence?

You can use "signify" to indicate that something has a particular meaning or importance. For example, "A red sky at night can "indicate" good weather the next day".

What are some alternatives to the word "signify"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "represent", "denote", "imply", or "symbolize" instead of "signify".

Is it correct to say "signify about" instead of "signify"?

No, the correct usage is simply "signify" without the preposition "about". For example, "This gesture "signifies" respect", not "signify about respect".

What is the difference between "signify" and "imply"?

"Signify" means to be an indication of something, while "imply" means to suggest something indirectly. For example, a dark cloud might signify rain, while a person's silence might imply disagreement.