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Synonyms

significant

American  
[sig-nif-i-kuhnt] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kənt /

adjective

  1. important and deserving of attention; of consequence.

    Their advice played a significant role in saving my marriage.

    Synonyms:
    weighty, momentous, consequential
  2. relatively large in amount or quantity.

    a significant decrease in revenue.

  3. having or expressing a meaning; indicative.

    a significant symbol of royalty.

  4. having a special, secret, or disguised meaning; suggestive.

    a significant wink.

  5. Statistics. of or relating to observations that are unlikely to occur by chance and that therefore indicate a systematic cause.

    Memory training produced a statistically significant improvement in group performance.


noun

  1. something significant; a sign.

significant British  
/ sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt /

adjective

  1. having or expressing a meaning; indicative

  2. having a covert or implied meaning; suggestive

  3. important, notable, or momentous

  4. statistics of or relating to a difference between a result derived from a hypothesis and its observed value that is too large to be attributed to chance and that therefore tends to refute the hypothesis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say significant? The adjective significant describes things that are important, indicative of something, or suggestive of a hidden secret meaning. Do you know when to use significant, expressive, meaningful, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

  • nonsignificant adjective
  • significantly adverb
  • supersignificant adjective
  • unsignificant adjective

Etymology

Origin of significant

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin significant- (stem of significāns ), present participle of the verb significāre “to indicate, denote”; signify, -ant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Around 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined products pass through the strait each day, meaning that even limited shipping delays could have significant implications for supply chains.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meta was told to create "easily identifiable indicators that distinguish AI content" to prevent "significant amounts of scam content".

From BBC

He said drone footage of the scene showed the "subsidence" was "significant" and it was an "incredibly complex issue to resolve".

From BBC

Secondary goals in both relapsing multiple sclerosis studies showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in brain lesions, Roche said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Around 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined products pass through the strait each day, meaning even limited shipping delays could have significant implications for supply chains.

From The Wall Street Journal