Significant
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsImportant enough to be worthy of attention; noteworthy; meaningful.
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
Important or of consequence.
The discovery of penicillin was a significant breakthrough in medicine.
💡 Simply: Imagine you’re building a Lego castle and you're using a special block that makes it a lot stronger, or maybe a new block shape you've never used before. That block is *significant* because it changes the castle. Significant means something really matters or has an important effect.
👶 For kids: Important or big, like a big deal!
More Examples
Losing my keys was not a significant problem; I found them quickly.
The amount of rain had a significant effect on the crops.
How It's Used
"The company reported a significant increase in profits."
"The study revealed a significant correlation between diet and health."
"The election results were a significant shift in the political landscape."
Serving as a sign or indication of something; suggesting a meaning.
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
Expressing a meaning; indicative.
The way he looked at her was very significant.
💡 Simply: If someone avoids your eyes, that's *significant* – it might mean they're lying or upset. When something tells you something else, it's significant.
👶 For kids: Like a clue that tells you something else is happening.
More Examples
The lack of response was significant of their disinterest.
The decrease in sales was significant of a downturn in the economy.
How It's Used
"His silence was significant of his disapproval."
"A change in behavior may be significant of an underlying issue."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
significant other
A person with whom someone has an established romantic or intimate relationship.
"She introduced me to her significant other at the party."
From Latin significans, present participle of significare ('to indicate, mean'), from signum ('a sign').
Used from the 17th century, initially in theological and philosophical contexts, evolving to its wider usage in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a sign that's so big, it's hard to miss! Important things are 'significant'.