What does this sign signify?
Source: tatoeba (61013)
Signify
/ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ/
Synonyms for "signify" (234 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (47)
add up toadumbrateamount to somethingannounceapproveargueassignattestaugurbe construed asbe featuredbe indicative ofbe prominentbe significant ofbe somebodybe somethingbe symptomatic ofbearbespeakbetoken
Show 8 more words
Noun(12 words)
amount ofamount toamountsamounts tobe importantbetokeningcarrying capacity conceptclassroom matterscount componentscount objectscount partscount word
Strong matches (70)
Noun(11 words)
counting confusioncounting numberdenote the quantitydesignatingfeeling of matteringfrench représenterhallmarkhallmarksimportsindicate patternindicator signal
Adjective(4 words)
Related words (117)
Noun(42 words)
it matteredit mattersmark the momentmatter a lotmatter during reactionmatter for yieldmatter inmatter in educationmatter in experimentsmatter in questionmatter of importancematter propertiesmatter to resultsmatter under studymattered greatly formattered in the endmattering in schoolmattering to familiesmattering to studentsmatterings
Show 22 more words
mattersmatters for yieldmatters in schoolmatters of policymatters to teachersmean of numbersmean somethingmeaningmeansmeans prepositionreliability mattersresults mattersense of matteringsign language relatedspanish representarstandstandsstudent matteringsymbolizingverb of intentionwhat mattersword meaning
Verb(16 words)
matteredmatters mostmatters to memeantreferrepresentedrepresentssayssignalsignal the endsignalizedsignalizesstand forsymbolisesymbolizedsymbolizes
Adverb(1 words)
not matter
Adjective(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: mean, add up to, adumbrate, amount of, amount to.
- Sentence evidence is available for signify, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "signify".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "signify"
Keep "signify" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "signify" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "signify", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "signify" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
5 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
5 entriessignify a changesignify a differencesignify an errorsignify intentsignify results
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriessimilar
3 entriesSample sentences
25 total sentences available.
What do those lights signify?
Source: tatoeba (67806)
What you think doesn't signify at all.
Source: tatoeba (486436)
Oranges signify a happy love while lemons symbolize an unrequited one.
Source: tatoeba (499761)
Showing 4 of 25 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "signify"?
Closest matches include mean, add up to, adumbrate, amount of, amount to.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "signify"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.