signify
gb/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
B2
Anglais
~ 7600
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B2
relation
1
mean or represent something
To show what something means, usually with a word, sign, picture, or action.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] signifies [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'signify' in everyday speech where native speakers would simply say 'mean', for example, saying *What does this word signify?* in a casual conversation. This sounds very formal. In most daily situations, 'mean' is more natural, and 'signify' is better for written, formal, or technical contexts, especially when talking about symbols and signs.
Synonymes
mean (The most general word; used in all kinds of situations, while 'signify' is more formal and often used for symbols or actions.)
|
represent (Stresses standing for something, especially in visual or symbolic form; 'signify' is similar but a bit more abstract and formal.)
Antonymes
obscure (To make something hard to understand or hide its meaning, which is the opposite of making its meaning clear, as 'signify' does.)
Collocations
signify agreement
|signify approval
|signify intent
|signify meaning
|signify a change
|signify the start
Thèmes
communication
|language
|logic
|education
Exemples
- In traffic lights, red signifies 'stop' and green signifies 'go'.
- The white dove traditionally signifies peace.
- On this map, the blue lines signify rivers and streams.
- His raised hand signified that he had a question.
- What does this strange symbol signify in the contract?
Exemples pédagogiques
- On this door, the red sign signifies danger.
- In many cultures, black clothes signify death or sadness.
- This mark on the page signifies a spelling error.
- Three stars next to a hotel name signify a good level of comfort.
Verbe
B2
action
2
show or indicate a fact
To be a sign that something is true or will happen.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] signifies [a situation]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'signify' with 'signal'. 'Signal' usually involves a deliberate message (for example, lights that signal a turn), while 'signify' can describe natural signs or evidence that just show something (for example, clouds that signify rain).
Synonymes
indicate (Very close in meaning; 'indicate' is slightly more common and neutral, while 'signify' can sound more formal or abstract.)
Antonymes
disprove (If something disproves a fact, it shows it is not true, which is the opposite of signifying (indicating) that it is true.)
Collocations
symptoms that signify
|changes that signify
|may signify
|likely to signify
|signify the presence of
|signify a problem
Thèmes
logic
|science
|health
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- These symptoms may signify a serious illness.
- A sudden drop in sales can signify a deeper problem in the company.
- The cracks in the wall signify that the building is shifting.
- Rising sea levels signify that climate change is already under way.
Exemples pédagogiques
- A fever can signify that you have an infection.
- Dark clouds often signify that rain is coming.
- Heavy traffic may signify an accident on the road.
- A low battery icon signifies that you need to charge your phone soon.
Verbe
formal
C1
action
3
formally state or make known
To say or show something clearly in a formal or official way.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] signifies [something] to [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may use 'signify' in very casual situations where native speakers would simply say 'show' or 'tell', for example *He signified me the time*. In this formal sense, 'signify' usually takes an object like 'agreement', 'acceptance', or 'intention', and is common in legal, business, or official writing, often with phrases like 'signify your agreement'.
Synonymes
declare (Stronger and more explicit; 'declare' often involves a clear statement, while 'signify' can include non-verbal or written ways of making something known.)
Antonymes
withhold (To refuse to give or state information, which is the opposite of making it known by signifying it.)
Collocations
signify your agreement
|signify your acceptance
|signify your approval
|hereby signify
|formally signify
|signify in writing
Thèmes
law
|business
|communication
Exemples
- Please signify your agreement by signing at the bottom of the page.
- By raising his hand, the chairman signified his approval of the motion.
- Employees must signify their acceptance of the new policy in writing.
- The president formally signified his intention to run for a second term.
Exemples pédagogiques
- You must signify your choice on the form.
- She signified her support with a short email.
- Tick this box to signify that you have read the rules.
- He nodded to signify that the meeting was over.
Verbe
literary
C1
state
4
be important; matter
To be important; to make a difference.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] signifies [a lot/nothing]
Erreur fréquente :
This sense is often learned from the phrase 'signify nothing' and can sound old-fashioned or very literary in most modern contexts. Learners should usually prefer 'matter' in everyday speech (for example, 'It doesn't matter' instead of 'It does not signify').
Synonymes
matter (The everyday, neutral verb; 'signify' in this sense is more literary or rhetorical and less common in speech.)
Antonymes
be irrelevant (If something is irrelevant, it does not matter or have importance, the opposite of signifying (mattering).)
Collocations
signify nothing
|signify much
|signify little
|really signify
|ultimately signify
|truly signify
Thèmes
evaluation
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- In the long run, these small disagreements will not signify.
- To the final result, one missed practice session scarcely signifies.
- Their complaints, though loud, did not truly signify in the final decision.
- His personal opinion here does not signify; the law is clear.
Exemples pédagogiques
- For our plan, this problem does not really signify.
- His fame signifies little if he is not honest.
- Whether it rains or not will not signify for the indoor event.
- To her, money signifies more than comfort.
Verbe
slang
C2
action
5
tease or insult someone verbally
To make fun of someone with smart but unkind words, often in a playful way.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] signifies on [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
This sense is dialectal and cultural. Learners sometimes see 'signifying' in African American literature and assume it has the same meaning as 'mean' or 'indicate'. In this slang use, it is about playful or sharp verbal teasing, not about 'meaning' or 'importance'.
Synonymes
trash-talk (Informal slang for insulting someone, especially in sports; 'signify' in this sense is tied more to African American speech and can be more playful and cultural.)
Antonymes
praise (To say good things about someone rather than mocking or insulting them, which is the opposite of this sense of 'signify'.)
Collocations
signify on me
|signify on each other
|sit around signifying
|stop signifying
|signify on your friends
Thèmes
slang
|relationships
|emotions
|communication
Exemples
- They spent the whole lunch break just signifying on each other's clothes.
- Don't try to signify on him unless you can take a joke too.
- She laughed, but you could tell his constant signifying was starting to bother her.
Exemples pédagogiques
- They like to sit on the steps and signify on each other.
- He was just signifying; he did not really hate you.
- If you cannot take a joke, do not signify on other people.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
signify
API
GB/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
US/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
Syllabes et accentuation
sig - ni - fy (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (sig)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: signify
- 3rd Person Singular: signifies
- Present Participle: signifying
- Past: signified
Famille de mots
Forms
signifies
verb
signifying
verb
signified
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
signification
noun
signifier
noun
Expressions
signify nothing
1/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ nˈʌθɪŋ/
idiom
literary
be unimportant; have no effect
To have no real meaning, importance, or result.
Exemples
- Most of the office drama will signify nothing in a few months.
- Their angry tweets may be loud, but in policy terms they signify nothing.
- His long speech sounded impressive but ultimately signified nothing.
signify your agreement
1/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ jˈʊɹ əɡɹˈimənt/
fixed phrase
formal
formally show that you agree
To show in a clear, usually written or official way that you agree with something.
Exemples
- Please signify your agreement by ticking the box below.
- Participants must signify their agreement to the terms before using the service.
- You can signify your agreement either by email or by signing and returning this letter.