indicator
B2Neutral to formal. Common in academic, technical, business, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A thing that provides information about or evidence of the state, level, or presence of something else; a signal or sign.
A device or instrument on a machine or vehicle that provides specific information (e.g., a flashing light on a car). In chemistry, a substance that changes colour to show the presence of a particular compound or condition (e.g., acidity). In economics/statistics, a data point that reflects the health of an economy or sector.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a neutral, factual connotation. It implies a direct, often measurable, relationship between the indicator and what it indicates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In automotive contexts, BrE uses 'indicator' for the flashing light signalling a turn. AmE primarily uses 'turn signal' or 'blinker'. 'Indicator' is understood in AmE but is more formal/technical in this context.
Connotations
In BrE, 'indicator' in the automotive sense is purely neutral and standard. In AmE, using 'indicator' for a turn signal can sound slightly technical or like a direct translation.
Frequency
Higher frequency in BrE for everyday automotive use. Comparable frequency in all other academic, technical, and general contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
indicator of + [noun phrase] (a key indicator of economic health)indicator that + [clause] (an indicator that the system is failing)serve as an indicatoruse something as an indicatorVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Canary in a coal mine (conceptual idiom for an early warning indicator)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used to measure a company's success.
Academic
Fossil records serve as a crucial indicator of past climatic conditions.
Everyday
The dark clouds were a clear indicator that rain was coming.
Technical
The lit fault indicator on the panel shows a pressure drop in sector four.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The data does not indicate a need for policy change.
- Early polls indicate a close race.
American English
- The report indicates strong growth in the third quarter.
- Her symptoms do not indicate anything serious.
adverb
British English
- She nodded indicatively towards the documents.
- The price is listed indicatively and may change.
American English
- He pointed indicatively at the map. (Rare, 'indicatively' is very formal.)
- The costs are shown indicatively in the proposal.
adjective
British English
- The indicative mood is used for stating facts.
- These figures are indicative of a broader trend.
American English
- The first quarter results are indicative of a profitable year.
- He gave an indicative offer on the house.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The fuel indicator shows the car needs petrol.
- A smile is often an indicator of happiness.
- Economic indicators suggest the market is improving.
- Check the indicator on the dashboard before you turn.
- Rising unemployment is a lagging indicator of economic recession.
- The scientist used a chemical indicator to test the liquid's pH.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an INDIAN pointing a CAT with a TORCH. The Indian is INDICATING something to the cat - the torchlight is the INDICATOR of where to look.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING / EVIDENCE IS A LIGHT (e.g., 'a clear indicator' sheds light on a situation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating "указатель" for all contexts. For a car's turn signal, BrE uses 'indicator', AmE uses 'turn signal'. For a street sign, use 'sign' or 'street sign'. For an index (e.g., in a book), use 'index'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'indicator' for a person who indicates (the correct word is 'indicator' only for the thing; a person is not called an 'indicator'). Incorrect: *He is a good indicator of trends. Correct: He is a good *barometer* of trends. / His behaviour is a good indicator.
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what is the most common everyday term for the flashing light on a car used to show a turn?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans towards formal in general use. In technical fields (economics, science, engineering) it is standard, not overly formal. In everyday British English for a car light, it is the normal, informal term.
An 'indicator' often implies a specific, measurable piece of evidence within a system (economic indicator, chemical indicator). A 'sign' is broader and can be more general or observable (a sign of the times, a road sign).
No, not typically. An 'indicator' is a thing, device, or signal. A person who indicates or points something out might be a 'guide', 'advisor', or 'signalman' in specific contexts, but not an 'indicator'.
Key Performance Indicator. It is a crucial business/metrics term for a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives.
Collections
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Advanced Business English
C1 · 43 words · Sophisticated language for business and finance.