verb
signify
To matter or have importance.
A fancy job title signifies little without fair pay.
Etymology
The Latin verb means indicating or having meaning. English extends that meaningfulness to having consequence or importance, especially in expressions such as it signifies little.
More examples
- These small differences in price do not signify much.
- Her lack of experience signified little once we saw her work.
- What does rank signify if everyone receives the same treatment?
Forms
signify · signifies · signified · signifying
significant adjective — Important enough to deserve serious attention.
significance noun — The importance of something in context.