sig ‧ nif ‧ i ‧ cant S2 W1 AC /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ significance ≠ ↑ insignificance , ↑ signification ; verb : ↑ signify ; adverb : ↑ significantly ≠ ↑ insignificantly ; adjective : ↑ significant ≠ ↑ insignificant ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of significare ; ⇨ ↑ signify ]
1 . having an important effect or influence, especially on what will happen in the future OPP insignificant :
His most significant political achievement was the abolition of the death penalty.
Please inform us if there are any significant changes in your plans.
significant for
The result is highly significant for the future of the province.
it is significant that
It is significant that the writers of the report were all men.
2 . large enough to be noticeable or have noticeable effects OPP insignificant :
A significant number of drivers fail to keep to speed limits.
A significant part of Japan’s wealth is invested in the West.
There is a significant difference between the number of home births now and ten years ago.
The rise in temperature is not statistically significant.
3 . a significant look, smile etc has a special meaning that is not known to everyone:
He gave me a significant look.
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THESAURUS
▪ important having a big effect on people’s lives or on events in the future:
an important decision
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Good qualifications are increasingly important.
▪ big important or serious:
It’s a big decision.
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a big problem
▪ significant important enough to be noticeable or have a big effect:
There is no significant difference between the performance of male and female students.
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The Internet has brought about significant changes in people’s lives.
▪ noteworthy formal important or interesting enough to deserve your attention:
The castle is the island’s most noteworthy feature.
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The jury’s verdict was noteworthy for a number of reasons.