signify
gb/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
B2
ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ
~ 7600
ਅਰਥ
0 ਅਰਥ
ਕਿਰਿਆ
B2
relation
1
mean or represent something
To show what something means, usually with a word, sign, picture, or action.
ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦਾ ਢਾਂਚਾ:
[something] signifies [something]
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀ:
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.
ਸਮਾਨਾਰਥਕ ਸ਼ਬਦ
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.)
ਵਿਲੋਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ
obscure (To make something hard to understand or hide its meaning, which is the opposite of making its meaning clear, as 'signify' does.)
ਸ਼ਬਦ-ਜੋੜ
signify agreement
|signify approval
|signify intent
|signify meaning
|signify a change
|signify the start
ਵਿਸ਼ੇ
communication
|language
|logic
|education
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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?
ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਕਿਰਿਆ
B2
action
2
show or indicate a fact
To be a sign that something is true or will happen.
ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦਾ ਢਾਂਚਾ:
[something] signifies [a situation]
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀ:
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).
ਸਮਾਨਾਰਥਕ ਸ਼ਬਦ
indicate (Very close in meaning; 'indicate' is slightly more common and neutral, while 'signify' can sound more formal or abstract.)
ਵਿਲੋਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ
disprove (If something disproves a fact, it shows it is not true, which is the opposite of signifying (indicating) that it is true.)
ਸ਼ਬਦ-ਜੋੜ
symptoms that signify
|changes that signify
|may signify
|likely to signify
|signify the presence of
|signify a problem
ਵਿਸ਼ੇ
logic
|science
|health
|communication
|core_vocabulary
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਕਿਰਿਆ
formal
C1
action
3
formally state or make known
To say or show something clearly in a formal or official way.
ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦਾ ਢਾਂਚਾ:
[someone] signifies [something] to [someone]
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀ:
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'.
ਸਮਾਨਾਰਥਕ ਸ਼ਬਦ
declare (Stronger and more explicit; 'declare' often involves a clear statement, while 'signify' can include non-verbal or written ways of making something known.)
ਵਿਲੋਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ
withhold (To refuse to give or state information, which is the opposite of making it known by signifying it.)
ਸ਼ਬਦ-ਜੋੜ
signify your agreement
|signify your acceptance
|signify your approval
|hereby signify
|formally signify
|signify in writing
ਵਿਸ਼ੇ
law
|business
|communication
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਕਿਰਿਆ
literary
C1
state
4
be important; matter
To be important; to make a difference.
ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦਾ ਢਾਂਚਾ:
[something] signifies [a lot/nothing]
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀ:
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').
ਸਮਾਨਾਰਥਕ ਸ਼ਬਦ
matter (The everyday, neutral verb; 'signify' in this sense is more literary or rhetorical and less common in speech.)
ਵਿਲੋਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ
be irrelevant (If something is irrelevant, it does not matter or have importance, the opposite of signifying (mattering).)
ਸ਼ਬਦ-ਜੋੜ
signify nothing
|signify much
|signify little
|really signify
|ultimately signify
|truly signify
ਵਿਸ਼ੇ
evaluation
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਕਿਰਿਆ
slang
C2
action
5
tease or insult someone verbally
To make fun of someone with smart but unkind words, often in a playful way.
ਵਰਤੋਂ ਦਾ ਢਾਂਚਾ:
[someone] signifies on [someone]
ਆਮ ਗਲਤੀ:
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'.
ਸਮਾਨਾਰਥਕ ਸ਼ਬਦ
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.)
ਵਿਲੋਮ ਸ਼ਬਦ
praise (To say good things about someone rather than mocking or insulting them, which is the opposite of this sense of 'signify'.)
ਸ਼ਬਦ-ਜੋੜ
signify on me
|signify on each other
|sit around signifying
|stop signifying
|signify on your friends
ਵਿਸ਼ੇ
slang
|relationships
|emotions
|communication
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਸਿਖਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਵਿਆਕਰਨ
ਸ਼ਬਦਕੋਸ਼ੀ ਰੂਪ
signify
IPA
GB/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
US/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
ਸਿਲੇਬਲ ਅਤੇ ਜ਼ੋਰ
sig - ni - fy (3 ਸਿਲੇਬਲ)
Stress on 1st syllable (sig)
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਰੂਪ
Verb
- Base: signify
- 3rd Person Singular: signifies
- Present Participle: signifying
- Past: signified
ਸ਼ਬਦ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ
Forms
signifies
verb
signifying
verb
signified
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
signification
noun
signifier
noun
ਅਭਿਵੈਕਤੀਆਂ
signify nothing
1/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ nˈʌθɪŋ/
idiom
literary
be unimportant; have no effect
To have no real meaning, importance, or result.
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.
ਉਦਾਹਰਨਾਂ
- 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.