Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

significance

 - definition
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun [singular/uncountable] British English pronunciation: significance /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
  1. 1
    the importance that something has because it affects other things
    significance of:

    the historical significance of these events

    be of great/little etc significance:

    I do not think this case is really of great significance.

    significance for:

    changes that have enormous significance for the medical profession

    appreciate/grasp the significance of something:

    Few observers appreciated the immense political significance of this development.

  2. 2
    the meaning of something, usually a special meaning or a meaning that is not obvious
    significance of:

    I didn't realize the true significance of this comment at the time.

    significance for:

    It was a gesture that had some significance for his supporters.

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

emancipation

the process of giving freedom and rights to someone

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog