significantly
gb/sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli/ us/sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
to a large extent
By a big or important amount.
Usage pattern:
[something] increases/decreases significantly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'significantly' with 'significantly enough', but 'significantly' alone already means 'by a large amount'.
Synonyms
considerably (Slightly more formal but similar in meaning.)
|
greatly (Often used for positive changes; slightly more emotive.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates a very small degree, opposite of large degree.)
Collocations
increase significantly
|change significantly
|differ significantly
|decline significantly
Themes
communication
|measurement
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Sales have increased significantly over the past year.
- Her performance improved significantly after the training.
- The weather has changed significantly since this morning.
- Crime rates have dropped significantly in the city.
- The results differ significantly from our expectations.
Learner examples
- My English has improved significantly.
- Prices went up significantly last month.
- He runs significantly faster than me.
- The test scores are significantly higher this year.
adverb
B2
property
2
in an important way
In a way that is important or has meaning.
Usage pattern:
affects [someone/something] significantly
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'very' before 'significantly', which is usually unnecessary because 'significantly' already implies importance or large degree.
Synonyms
importantly (Directly highlights the importance; less about degree.)
Antonyms
insignificantly (Means without importance or relevance, the opposite in meaning.)
Collocations
affect significantly
|contribute significantly
|impact significantly
Themes
communication
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This decision will significantly affect the company's future.
- She contributed significantly to the success of the project.
- The discovery is significantly important for medical research.
- Your support has significantly influenced my career choices.
Learner examples
- The rain will significantly change our plans.
- This book significantly helped me understand history.
- That rule will significantly improve safety.
adverb
C1
property
3
with implied meaning
In a way that shows a hidden meaning without saying it directly.
Usage pattern:
look/smile/nod significantly at [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'importantly'; here it refers to implied meaning through behavior, not importance.
Synonyms
meaningfully (Often interchangeable but slightly softer in tone.)
Antonyms
blankly (Without any expression or implied meaning.)
Collocations
smile significantly
|look significantly at
Themes
communication
|interpersonal
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He smiled significantly when she mentioned the trip.
- She looked at me significantly, as if to say something without words.
- They exchanged significantly glances during the speech.
Learner examples
- He looked at me significantly when my name was called.
- She smiled significantly when I asked about her new job.
- They nodded significantly to each other.
Grammar
Dictionary form
significantly
IPA
GB/sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli/
US/sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli/
Syllables & stress
sig - ni - fic - antly (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ni)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: significantly
- Plural: significantlies
Word family
Forms
significantlies
noun
Core family
significant
adjective B1
significance
noun B1
Related words
signify
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
look significantly at someone
1/lˈʊk sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
look with implied meaning
To look at someone in a way that shows you have a hidden message or idea.
Examples
- He looked significantly at her when the topic came up.
- They all looked significantly at John after the announcement.
significantly more/less than
1/sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəntli mˈɔɹˈilɪs ðən/
fixed phrase
by a much larger/smaller amount
By a much bigger or smaller amount compared to something else.
Examples
- This year's profits are significantly more than last year's.
- She earns significantly less than her colleagues.