signify
gb/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/ us/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
B2
Inglês
~ 7600
jelent, jelképez, jelez, utal, kinyilvánít, feltüntet, számít, jelentősége van, csipkelődik, beszólogat, ugrat
VERBO
B2
1
Padrão de uso:
[something] signifies [something]
In traffic lights, red signifies 'stop' and green signifies 'go'.
A közlekedési lámpáknál a piros azt jelenti, hogy „állj”, a zöld pedig azt, hogy „mehetsz”.
The white dove traditionally signifies peace.
A fehér galamb hagyományosan a békét jelképezi.
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?
Exemplos para aprendentes
On this door, the red sign signifies danger.
Ezen az ajtón a piros jel veszélyt jelent.
In many cultures, black clothes signify death or sadness.
Sok kultúrában a fekete ruha a halált vagy a szomorúságot jelképezi.
This mark on the page signifies a spelling error.
Three stars next to a hotel name signify a good level of comfort.
Erro comum:
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.
Significado
mean or represent something
Colocações
signify agreement
|signify approval
|signify intent
|signify meaning
|signify a change
|signify the start
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
obscure (To make something hard to understand or hide its meaning, which is the opposite of making its meaning clear, as 'signify' does.)
Temas
communication
|language
|logic
|education
Definição
To show what something means, usually with a word, sign, picture, or action.
To mean or represent something, especially when a word, sign, or action stands for an idea, fact, or quality.
VERBO
B2
2
Padrão de uso:
[something] signifies [a situation]
These symptoms may signify a serious illness.
Ezek a tünetek súlyos betegségre utalhatnak.
A sudden drop in sales can signify a deeper problem in the company.
Az eladások hirtelen visszaesése mélyebb problémát jelezhet a vállalatnál.
The cracks in the wall signify that the building is shifting.
Rising sea levels signify that climate change is already under way.
Exemplos para aprendentes
A fever can signify that you have an infection.
A láz jelezheti, hogy fertőzésed van.
Dark clouds often signify that rain is coming.
A sötét felhők gyakran azt jelzik, hogy eső közeleg.
Heavy traffic may signify an accident on the road.
A low battery icon signifies that you need to charge your phone soon.
Erro comum:
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).
Significado
show or indicate a fact
Colocações
symptoms that signify
|changes that signify
|may signify
|likely to signify
|signify the presence of
|signify a problem
Sinónimos
indicate (Very close in meaning; 'indicate' is slightly more common and neutral, while 'signify' can sound more formal or abstract.)
Antónimos
disprove (If something disproves a fact, it shows it is not true, which is the opposite of signifying (indicating) that it is true.)
Temas
logic
|science
|health
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definição
To be a sign that something is true or will happen.
To show or suggest that a particular situation, condition, or fact exists or is likely.
VERBO
C1
FORMAL
3
Padrão de uso:
[someone] signifies [something] to [someone]
Please signify your agreement by signing at the bottom of the page.
Kérjük, az oldal alján lévő aláírásával nyilvánítsa ki egyetértését.
By raising his hand, the chairman signified his approval of the motion.
Azzal, hogy felemelte a kezét, az elnök kinyilvánította támogatását az indítvány mellett.
Employees must signify their acceptance of the new policy in writing.
The president formally signified his intention to run for a second term.
Exemplos para aprendentes
You must signify your choice on the form.
A választását jeleznie kell az űrlapon.
She signified her support with a short email.
Egy rövid e-mailben jelezte a támogatását.
Tick this box to signify that you have read the rules.
He nodded to signify that the meeting was over.
Erro comum:
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'.
Significado
formally state or make known
Colocações
signify your agreement
|signify your acceptance
|signify your approval
|hereby signify
|formally signify
|signify in writing
Sinónimos
declare (Stronger and more explicit; 'declare' often involves a clear statement, while 'signify' can include non-verbal or written ways of making something known.)
Antónimos
withhold (To refuse to give or state information, which is the opposite of making it known by signifying it.)
Temas
law
|business
|communication
Definição
To say or show something clearly in a formal or official way.
To formally state, express, or make something known, especially in an official or written way.
VERBO
C1
LITERARY
4
számít
A2
Padrão de uso:
[something] signifies [a lot/nothing]
In the long run, these small disagreements will not signify.
Hosszú távon ezek a kisebb nézeteltérések nem fognak számítani.
To the final result, one missed practice session scarcely signifies.
A végső eredmény szempontjából egy kihagyott edzés alig számít.
Their complaints, though loud, did not truly signify in the final decision.
His personal opinion here does not signify; the law is clear.
Exemplos para aprendentes
For our plan, this problem does not really signify.
A tervünk szempontjából ez a probléma nem igazán számít.
His fame signifies little if he is not honest.
A hírneve keveset számít, ha nem becsületes.
Whether it rains or not will not signify for the indoor event.
To her, money signifies more than comfort.
Erro comum:
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').
Significado
be important; matter
Colocações
signify nothing
|signify much
|signify little
|really signify
|ultimately signify
|truly signify
Sinónimos
matter (The everyday, neutral verb; 'signify' in this sense is more literary or rhetorical and less common in speech.)
Antónimos
be irrelevant (If something is irrelevant, it does not matter or have importance, the opposite of signifying (mattering).)
Temas
evaluation
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definição
To be important; to make a difference.
To have importance or influence; to matter.
VERBO
C2
SLANG
5
Padrão de uso:
[someone] signifies on [someone]
They spent the whole lunch break just signifying on each other's clothes.
Az egész ebédszünetben egymás ruháján csipkelődtek.
Don't try to signify on him unless you can take a joke too.
Ne próbálj meg neki beszólogatni, ha te sem bírod a viccet.
She laughed, but you could tell his constant signifying was starting to bother her.
Exemplos para aprendentes
They like to sit on the steps and signify on each other.
Szeretnek a lépcsőn ülni és egymást ugratni.
He was just signifying; he did not really hate you.
Csak ugratott; valójában nem utált téged.
If you cannot take a joke, do not signify on other people.
Erro comum:
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'.
Significado
tease or insult someone verbally
Colocações
signify on me
|signify on each other
|sit around signifying
|stop signifying
|signify on your friends
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
praise (To say good things about someone rather than mocking or insulting them, which is the opposite of this sense of 'signify'.)
Temas
slang
|relationships
|emotions
|communication
Definição
To make fun of someone with smart but unkind words, often in a playful way.
In African American Vernacular English, to mock, insult, or tease someone using clever, often playful or indirect, remarks.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
signify
IPA
GB/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
US/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ/
Sílabas e acento
sig - ni - fy (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (sig)
Formas da palavra
Verb
- Base: signify
- 3rd Person Singular: signifies
- Present Participle: signifying
- Past: signified
Família de palavras
Forms
signifies
verb
signifying
verb
signified
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
signification
noun
signifier
noun
Expressões
signify nothing
1/sˈɪɡnəfˌaɪ nˈʌθɪŋ/
idiom
literary
be unimportant; have no effect
To have no real meaning, importance, or result.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.