What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
signify
Example
The color red can signify danger or warning. [signify: verb]
Example
The trophy signifies the team's hard work and dedication. [signifies: third person singular present]
indicate
Example
The map indicates the location of the nearest gas station. [indicates: verb]
Example
His tone of voice indicated that he was not happy with the situation. [indicated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indicate is more commonly used than signify in everyday language. Indicate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while signify is less common and often used in more specific or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between signify and indicate?
Indicate is generally considered more formal than signify. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
