Signifies

Signifies is the third-person singular present tense of the verb signify. It means to be a sign of; to indicate, convey meaning, or provide evidence of something. In use, it often describes how one thing stands for or points to another, as in “The red flag signifies danger” or “These statistics signify a shift in policy.” The sense centers on the idea of a sign or marker that communicates information.

Etymology and form: Signifies derives from Old French signifier, from Latin significare “to signify, mean,” from signum “mark, sign” plus facere “to make.” The word is typically used in formal, analytical, or descriptive writing.

Usage notes: Signify is commonly found in academic writing, journalism, and rhetoric where it is important to emphasize the signifying relationship between things. It is distinct from indicate, which focuses more on pointing to something, and from imply, which suggests something without a direct sign. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer mean or show rather than signify, though signify remains appropriate when the emphasis is on the signaling function itself.

Semantics and related terms: In philosophy of language and semiotics, signify is used to discuss how signs convey meaning. The related terms signifier and signified (from Ferdinand de Saussure) describe the parts of a linguistic sign, while signification refers to the broader process of conveying meaning through signs.

Examples: “The color scheme signifies a corporate rebranding.” “These results signify a need for further study.” See also: sign, signifier, signified, signification, indicate, imply, mean.