adjective

significant

sig-NIF-ih-kuhnt/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

Important or large enough to matter.

The support beam's significant crack draws urgent attention while minor scratches are ignored.

On a cluttered workbench, a large cracked support beam draws everyone's urgent attention while tiny scratches on loose scraps are ignored.

Etymology

signLatinsign, identifying mark

+ificLatinto make, do

+antLatinpresent participle ending

The roots combine as “making signs,” giving the earlier meaning “conveying meaning.” Something significant could carry a special meaning; from this developed the sense “important or weighty,” rather than merely indicating something.

In context

TED12:50

The site is a work in progress, but it's significant progress,

How a start-up in the White House is changing business as usual | Haley Van Dyck

TED11:42

only 60 percent, and that's a whopping significant difference.

Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED

More examples

Repairing the roof requires a significant amount of money.
Her discovery represents a significant advance in cancer treatment.
Even small delays become significant when the deadline is close.

Forms

significant · more significant · most significant

significance noun — The importance or impact of something.

significantly adverb — To an important or substantial degree.

Similar words

important: Stresses consequence or value rather than measurable size.
substantial: Emphasizes considerable size or amount rather than importance.