indicator
A sign, signal, or piece of information that points to the state, level, or existence of something else. It is often used to describe a quantifiable measure or a physical device that shows a change in condition or performance.
Examples
3 of 5High fuel consumption is usually a reliable indicator that your car engine needs a service.
High fuel consumption is usually a reliable indicator that your car engine needs a service.
The decline in indigenous bird populations serves as a critical indicator of environmental degradation.
The decline in indigenous bird populations serves as a critical indicator of environmental degradation.
The way he avoids eye contact is a pretty good indicator that he's lying.
The way he avoids eye contact is a pretty good indicator that he's lying.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of your car's 'indicator' light—it's a specific tool that points (indicates) exactly where you are going.
Quick Quiz
The unemployment rate is a major economic ______ that the government watches closely.
Correct!
The correct answer is: indicator
Examples
High fuel consumption is usually a reliable indicator that your car engine needs a service.
everydayHigh fuel consumption is usually a reliable indicator that your car engine needs a service.
The decline in indigenous bird populations serves as a critical indicator of environmental degradation.
formalThe decline in indigenous bird populations serves as a critical indicator of environmental degradation.
The way he avoids eye contact is a pretty good indicator that he's lying.
informalThe way he avoids eye contact is a pretty good indicator that he's lying.
Standardized test scores are frequently utilized as a primary indicator of academic achievement in longitudinal studies.
academicStandardized test scores are frequently utilized as a primary indicator of academic achievement in longitudinal studies.
Our quarterly churn rate is the most important indicator of customer dissatisfaction.
businessOur quarterly churn rate is the most important indicator of customer dissatisfaction.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
key performance indicator
key performance indicator
social indicator
social indicator
status indicator
status indicator
Often Confused With
An indication is a general hint or sign, whereas an indicator is a specific tool, device, or quantifiable measure.
Usage Notes
At a C1 level, prioritize using this word when discussing data, scientific results, or professional performance metrics. It implies a more formal and precise measurement than 'sign'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'indication' when referring to a technical metric or a car's blinker; in these specific cases, 'indicator' is the correct term.
Memory Tip
Think of your car's 'indicator' light—it's a specific tool that points (indicates) exactly where you are going.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'indicare', meaning 'to point out' or 'make known'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In British and Australian English, 'indicator' is the standard term for a vehicle's turn signal (blinker).
Quick Quiz
The unemployment rate is a major economic ______ that the government watches closely.
Correct!
The correct answer is: indicator
Related Vocabulary
A variable is an element, feature, or factor that is liable...
parameterA parameter is a limit or boundary that defines the scope of...
benchmarkTo evaluate or measure something by comparing it against a s...
symptomA symptom is a physical or mental feature which indicates a...
criterionA criterion is a principle or standard used to judge, evalua...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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