signifying: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in academic and technical discourse.
Quick answer
What does “signifying” mean?
The act of indicating, showing, or conveying meaning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of indicating, showing, or conveying meaning.
In linguistics and semiotics, the process of meaning-making through signs; in cultural contexts, particularly African American Vernacular English, a form of verbal art or ritual insult.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling; usage is consistent across varieties.
Connotations
In both, it often carries formal or scholarly connotations; in AAVE, it has specific cultural nuances.
Frequency
Equally frequent in British and American English, with slight preference in academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “signifying” in a Sentence
transitive: signifying somethingintransitive: signifying that clausewith preposition: signifying as somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “signifying” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government is signifying its commitment to new policies.
- Her gesture was signifying disapproval.
American English
- The data is signifying a shift in consumer behavior.
- His actions are signifying a change of heart.
adverb
British English
- He nodded signifyingly to convey agreement.
- She spoke signifyingly about the issue.
American English
- The report pointed signifyingly to future trends.
- He acted signifyingly in response.
adjective
British English
- The signifying elements in the text were analysed.
- A signifying glance passed between them.
American English
- In signifying rituals, context is crucial.
- The signifying power of symbols varies culturally.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports to signify trends or key findings, e.g., 'The metrics are signifying growth.'
Academic
Common in linguistics, philosophy, and cultural studies to discuss meaning and representation.
Everyday
Less frequent; used in formal speech or writing to indicate something clearly.
Technical
In semiotics, refers to the relationship between signifier and signified; in computing, may relate to data interpretation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “signifying”
- Using 'signifying' as a countable noun incorrectly, e.g., 'a signifying' instead of 'signifying' as gerund.
- Incorrect verb agreement, e.g., 'The data signify' vs. 'The data signifies' in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is more common in formal, academic, or technical contexts; in everyday speech, simpler words like 'showing' or 'meaning' are often preferred.
Yes, as a gerund, e.g., 'Signifying is central to semiotics.' It functions as a verbal noun.
'Signify' often implies deeper meaning or symbolism, while 'indicate' is more neutral and direct; e.g., 'A ring can signify marriage,' whereas 'A arrow indicates direction.'
In American English, it is typically pronounced as /ˈsɪɡnəˌfaɪɪŋ/, with a schwa in the second syllable.
The act of indicating, showing, or conveying meaning.
Signifying is usually neutral to formal; common in academic and technical discourse. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “signifying nothing”
- “make no signifying difference”
- “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'sign' in 'signifying'—it involves making signs to show or mean something.
Conceptual Metaphor
Communication is a process of signifying, where ideas are transmitted through symbolic acts.
Practice
Quiz
In African American Vernacular English, what does 'signifying' often refer to?