indicate

Indicate is a verb used to point out, show, or signal something; to suggest or imply something indirectly; or to designate or specify through signs, measurements, or markings. In everyday language, it is commonly used to describe how evidence, signs, or data make a conclusion more or less likely, without asserting certainty.

Etymology traces indicate to the Latin indicare, meaning “to point out” or “to declare,” from in- (toward) and dicare (to declare). The sense of pointing out or revealing has remained central as the word broadened to cover signs, measurements, and demonstrations in science, maps, and technology.

Usage and nuances: Indicate is typically transitive, taking a direct object such as a sign, result, or feature. Examples include “The map indicates the location of the ruins” and “The test results indicate a correlation.” It can also be followed by a that-clause, as in “The survey indicates that consumer confidence is rising.” In some disciplines, plural nouns such as data are used with indicate (e.g., “The data indicate a trend”), though singular usage is common in everyday language.

In addition to signaling information, indicate appears in contexts like signage and devices, where a light or icon indicates status—such as an LED indicating power or an arrow indicating direction.

Related terms include imply (suggest indirectly), signify (express meaning or importance), and denote (explicitly name or designate). Indicate emphasizes evidence or signs that point toward a conclusion rather than definitive proof.