Etimology
From Latin significans, present participle of significare, from signum (“sign”) + ficare (“do, make”), variant of facere.
adjective
significant (comparative more significant, superlative most significant)
Signifying something; carrying meaning.
Having a covert or hidden meaning.
Having a noticeable or major effect.
Reasonably large in number or amount.
(statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).
Examples
Synonym: meaningful
a significant word or sound
a significant look
It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant, but not efficient.
As evening came on, it grew prematurely dark and cloudy; while the waves acquired that dull indigo tint so significant of ugly weather.
Synonym: notable
That was a significant step in the right direction.
The First World War was a significant event.
The “little green men”—faces covered, wearing unmarked olive uniforms, speaking Russian and using Russian weapons—have played a significant role in both the occupation of Crimea and the civil war in eastern Ukraine.196
Related words
synonyms
important
antonyms
insignificant
ignorable
negligible
slight
related terms
significance
significand
signify
noun
significant (plural significants)
That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
Examples
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.
And in my glass significants there are