ENGLISH
REFERENCE

significance

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //səɡˈnɪfɪkəns// UK //sɪɡnˈɪfɪkəns// sig·nif·i·cance General-service

n. the quality of being important or having a special meaning. You use this word when something matters a lot or has a big effect on the future.

n. the quality of being worthy of attention or importance; the underlying meaning or consequence of an action or event.


SIMPLE

The discovery has great significance for modern medicine.

CONTEXTUAL

Historians still debate the significance of the treaty in preventing further conflict across the region.

COMPLEX

While the immediate results seemed minor, the long-term significance of the policy shift became apparent as the national economy began to stabilize over the following decade.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English significaunce, from Middle French significance, from Old French significance, from Latin significantia. Doublet of signifiance.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' to indicate the subject or 'for' to indicate the target of the impact.

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