signify
/'signifai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To indicate or show something, often through a word, gesture, or signal: To make a feeling, intention, or fact known.
- To be a sign of; to mean: To represent or be a symbol of something; to have a particular meaning or importance.
- (Archaic) To be of importance; to matter: This usage is now rare and typically found in negative constructions.
Usage and Examples
- To indicate or show:
- He signified his agreement with a nod. (He showed his agreement with a nod.)
- The contract is not valid until both parties signify their consent in writing.
- To be a sign of; to mean:
- A red traffic light signifies "stop." (A red traffic light means "stop.")
- What does this symbol signify? (What is the meaning of this symbol?)
- (Archaic) To be of importance:
- It signifies little now what they decided then. (What they decided then is of little importance now.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Signify" vs. "Mean": While often interchangeable, "signify" can sound more formal or emphasize the act of representing or being a symbol. "Mean" is more general and common.
- Dark clouds signify/mean rain.
- In academic or critical discourse: Used to discuss what something represents within a system of meaning (e.g., in semiotics, literature, or cultural studies).
- In the novel, the recurring storm signifies the protagonist's inner turmoil.
Variants and Related Words
- Signifier (n): In linguistics and semiotics, the physical form (like a sound or written word) that carries meaning.
- The word "tree" is a signifier for the concept of a tree.
- Signification (n): The meaning or interpretation of a word, sign, or symbol.
- The signification of this ancient symbol is still debated by scholars.
- Significant (adj): Important, notable, or having a particular meaning.
- This is a significant discovery.
Synonyms
- Indicate: To point out or show.
- Denote: To be a sign of; to stand for (often used for literal meanings).
- Symbolize: To represent something, especially an idea or quality.
- Mean: To have as a signification; to intend to convey.
Antonyms
- Conceal: To hide or keep secret.
- Misrepresent: To give a false or misleading account of the meaning of.
Related Phrases and Constructions
- Signify one's approval/agreement/intent: A formal phrase for declaring a position.
- The ambassador signified the government's intent to begin negotiations.
- Nothing to signify: An idiomatic phrase meaning "nothing important" or "of no consequence."
- The delay was nothing to signify; we arrived on time anyway.
Verb
- make known with a word or signal
- He signified his wish to pay the bill for our meal
- convey or express a meaning
- These words mean nothing to me!
- What does his strange behavior signify?
- denote or connote
- `maison' means `house' in French
- An example sentence would show what this word means