the signified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the signified" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in semiotics and linguistics to refer to the concept or meaning that a sign represents, as opposed to the sign itself. Example: "In the study of language, the relationship between the signifier and the signified is crucial for understanding meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"It's the triumph of the signifier over the signified, the simulacral over the real.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It also symbolizes a vital element of all Bausch's work: the moment when representation becomes reality, when the ideas of the signifier and the signified collapse.

The New York Times - Arts

The identity of the signifier and the signified exists on the level of a set of differentiations within the same media.

SEP

In other words, the signifier preceded (and helped or helps to shape) the research strategies actually covered by these labels (the precedence of the signifier over the signified: S/s).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Both the signifier words and the signified entities in the world are perceived to be a transformation (pariṇāma) of the ultimate unified principle of language.

SEP

Luckily, the candidates are just as uninterested in getting wonky as the electorate is, and the two sides have evolved an ingenious, mutually beneficial arrangement to make structuralists proud: Turn signifier into the signified.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Asked by the American platoon commander, First Lt. Philip Divinski, what the tattoo signified, the man said he didn't know.

The New York Times

If the 1960s, the first decade after the revolution, signified opportunity for all, the decades that followed demonstrated that not everyone was able to have access to and benefit from those opportunities.

The New York Times

"After I sort of grasped the whole sign, signifier, signified deal, I had already tied my brain in a sufficient knot.

The New York Times

To me it was the beginning of the series, the lightning bolt scar that started it all, and the end, the Deathly Hallows that signified acceptance of death and loss.

Huffington Post

In this report we describe two cases of gastrointestinal bleeding from renal cell carcinoma metastases – in one patient bleeding heralded the primary manifestation of disease and in the other signified recurrence of disease following nephrectomy.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing semiotics or linguistics, use "the signified" to specifically refer to the concept or meaning being represented by a sign, contrasting it with the "signifier".

Common error

Avoid using "the signified" when you actually mean "the signifier". The signifier is the form the sign takes (e.g. a word or image), while the signified is the concept it represents. For example, the word 'dog' is the signifier, and the concept of a canine is "the signified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the signified" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It's typically used in academic and theoretical contexts to discuss meaning-making processes, as seen in Ludwig's examples about semiotics and linguistics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the signified" is a noun phrase primarily used in formal academic and theoretical discussions, especially within the fields of linguistics and semiotics. It refers to the conceptual meaning represented by a sign, as opposed to the sign itself (the signifier). As Ludwig AI explains, understanding the relationship between the signifier and "the signified" is crucial for analyzing how meaning is created and interpreted. While the phrase is grammatically correct and relatively common in specialized contexts, it's important to use it precisely to avoid confusion with related terms like "the signifier". Common errors involve incorrectly using it in place of the signifier. The related phrases, such as "the meaning", "the concept" or "the referent", can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the signified concept

Emphasizes that the meaning is a mental construct.

the intended meaning

Highlights the purpose of the communication.

the meaning

Focuses on the denotation or intended message.

the concept

Emphasizes the abstract idea being conveyed.

the semantic content

Highlights the information transmitted by a communication.

the referent

Highlights the actual entity or thing being referred to.

the denotation

Stresses the literal or explicit meaning.

the representation

Focuses on how something is depicted or symbolized.

the interpretation

Highlights the subjective understanding of the sign.

the message

Focuses on the information being communicated.

FAQs

How is "the signified" used in semiotics?

In semiotics, "the signified" refers to the mental concept that a signifier (a word, image, or symbol) represents. It's the meaning we associate with a sign. For example, the word "tree" is a signifier, while the mental image of a tree is "the signified".

What is the difference between "the signifier" and "the signified"?

"The signifier" is the form a sign takes, such as a word or image, while "the signified" is the concept or meaning it represents. The relationship between them is fundamental to understanding how signs communicate meaning. You can use alternatives to "the signifier" and "the signified" like the term "the meaning".

Can "the signified" have multiple interpretations?

Yes, depending on context and individual understanding. While a signifier generally points to a primary signified, cultural background and personal experience can influence interpretation, leading to varied or nuanced understandings of "the signified".

What are some examples of "the signified" in everyday life?

In advertising, a luxury car (signifier) might represent status and success (the signified). In traffic signals, a red light (signifier) signifies stop (the signified). These examples demonstrate how signs communicate meaning through the connection between signifiers and their corresponding signifieds.