Dictionary

signify

verb sig·ni·fy \ˈsig-nə-ˌfī\

: to be a sign of (something) : to mean (something)

: to show (your feelings, intentions, opinions, etc.) by doing something

: to have importance

sig·ni·fiedsig·ni·fy·ing

Full Definition of SIGNIFY

transitive verb
1
a :  to be a sign of :  mean
b :  imply
2
:  to show especially by a conventional token (as word, signal, or gesture)
intransitive verb
1
:  to have significance :  matter <it will not much signify what one wears — Jane Austen>
2
:  to engage in signifying
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of SIGNIFY

Middle English signifien, from Anglo-French signifier, from Latin significare to indicate, signify, from signum sign
First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with SIGNIFY

abide by, Adonai, alibi, alkali, amplify, apple-pie, argufy, assegai, azo dye, basify, beautify, butterfly, by-and-by, caddis fly, calcify, certify, Chou En-lai, citify, clarify, classify, coalify, cockneyfy, codify, college try, cottage pie, crucify, cut-and-try, cutie-pie, DIY, damnify, damselfly, dandify, deify, densify, dignify, dobsonfly, do-or-die, dragonfly, dulcify, eagle eye, edify, evil eye, falsify, fancify, fortify, frenchify, fructify, gasify, Gemini, gentrify, glorify, goggle-eye, goldeneye, gratify, Haggai, harvest fly, hexerei, high and dry, hip and thigh, Hokusai, hook and eye, horrify, hoverfly, humble pie, Iceni, justify, kiss good-bye, lazy eye, lignify, liquefy, lithify, Lorelei, lullaby, Madurai, magnify, Malachi, Maracay, minify, modify, mollify, Molokai, Mordecai, mortify, multi-ply, multiply, mummify, mystify, nazify, notify, nullify, occupy, old school tie, on standby, on the fly, ossify, overbuy, overfly, overlie, pacify, Paraguay, passerby, peccavi, petrify, PPI, preachify, prettify, private eye, prophesy, purify, putrefy, qualify, quantify, ramify, rarefy, ratify, RBI, rectify, reify, res gestae, robber fly, runner's high, Russify, samurai, sanctify, satisfy, scarify, schwarmerei, semidry, set store by, shepherd's pie, shoofly pie, simplify, Spanish fly, specify, speechify, stratify, stultify, stupefy, sweetie pie, Tenebrae, terrify, testify, tie-and-dye, tigereye, Trans Alai, tumble dry, typify, uglify, underlie, unify, Uruguay, Veneti, verify, versify, vilify, vinify, vitrify, vivify, weather eye, Windsor tie, xanthene dye, yuppify, zombify
SIGNIFY Defined for Kids

signify

verb sig·ni·fy \ˈsig-nə-ˌfī\
sig·ni·fiedsig·ni·fy·ing

Definition of SIGNIFY for Kids

1
:  1mean 1, denote <A check mark signifies a correct answer.>
2
:  to show especially by a sign :  make known <She nodded to signify agreement.>
3
:  to have importance :  matter <“It doesn't signify what you THINK … Facts is facts.” — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea>

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: signifyingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: signifierAll Words Near: signify
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears