C1 noun Formal

significance

/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

The quality of being worthy of attention or importance, often relating to the underlying meaning or consequence of an action. In academic and research contexts, it specifically refers to the likelihood that a result or relationship is caused by something other than mere random chance.

Examples

3 of 5
1

She didn't fully grasp the significance of the heirloom until she learned about her ancestors' journey.

She didn't understand how important or meaningful the family object was until she heard the history.

2

The court must determine the legal significance of the defendant's previous statements.

The court needs to decide the importance or weight of what the person said before in a legal sense.

3

I don't really see the significance of him wearing a blue tie today; it's probably just random.

I don't think there is any special meaning behind his choice of tie color.

Word Family

Noun
significance
Verb
signify
Adverb
significantly
Adjective
significant
Related
signification
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'SIGN'. Significance is the 'sign' that something is important or has a deeper meaning.

Quick Quiz

The discovery of the ancient ruins is of historical ________ for the local community.

Correct!

The correct answer is: significance

Examples

1

She didn't fully grasp the significance of the heirloom until she learned about her ancestors' journey.

everyday

She didn't understand how important or meaningful the family object was until she heard the history.

2

The court must determine the legal significance of the defendant's previous statements.

formal

The court needs to decide the importance or weight of what the person said before in a legal sense.

3

I don't really see the significance of him wearing a blue tie today; it's probably just random.

informal

I don't think there is any special meaning behind his choice of tie color.

4

The study failed to reach statistical significance, suggesting that the observed effects may be due to chance.

academic

The research results were not strong enough to prove a definite cause-and-effect relationship.

5

The strategic significance of acquiring the startup lies in its proprietary AI technology.

business

The main business reason and importance for buying the small company is their unique technology.

Word Family

Noun
significance
Verb
signify
Adverb
significantly
Adjective
significant
Related
signification

Common Collocations

attach significance to to consider something as having a particular meaning or importance
statistical significance the probability that a result is not due to chance
historical significance the importance of an event or person in the context of history
clinical significance the practical importance of a treatment effect in medicine
of great significance very important or meaningful

Common Phrases

of little significance

not very important or not having much impact

symbolic significance

importance derived from what something represents rather than what it is

grasp the significance

to understand the deep meaning or importance of a situation

Often Confused With

significance vs importance

While often used interchangeably, 'significance' often implies a deeper, symbolic, or hidden meaning, whereas 'importance' is more general.

significance vs signification

'Signification' refers to the literal meaning of a word or sign, while 'significance' refers to the quality of being important.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'significance' when you want to emphasize the meaning or the far-reaching consequences of something. In scientific writing, always use it carefully to refer to 'statistical significance' unless specified otherwise.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use the archaic form 'significancy' or use 'significance' as an adjective (e.g., saying 'it is significance' instead of 'it is significant').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'SIGN'. Significance is the 'sign' that something is important or has a deeper meaning.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'significantia', from 'significare', which means 'to make known' or 'indicate by signs'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun (usually) Often followed by the preposition 'of' Commonly preceded by adjectives like 'great', 'minimal', or 'clinical'
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Cultural Context

In Western academic culture, 'statistical significance' (p < 0.05) is the gold standard for determining if a scientific discovery is valid.

Quick Quiz

The discovery of the ancient ruins is of historical ________ for the local community.

Correct!

The correct answer is: significance

Related Words

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homosistness

C1

To actively process or adjust diverse elements within a system to ensure they achieve a state of internal uniformity or structural consistency. It involves the standardization of variables to eliminate outliers and maintain a balanced, predictable output.

semichromity

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Describing a visual state or quality characterized by partial coloration or muted chromatic intensity. It refers to an appearance that is neither fully monochrome nor fully saturated, often used to describe images or materials with limited color range.

bipathency

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monoannfy

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Characterized by a singular, repetitive annual recurrence that lacks variation or excitement. It describes processes or states that follow an unyielding, once-yearly pattern, often leading to a sense of predictable stagnation.

compathness

C1

To actively harmonize or align individual emotional states and professional trajectories within a group setting. It refers to the process of integrating empathy into a shared strategic path to ensure collective success.

misaudcy

C1

Describing a state or tendency to misinterpret spoken information or auditory cues, often leading to confusion or errors in communication. It characterizes someone who frequently 'slips' when listening or perceives sounds incorrectly.

contrafractward

C1

To shift or move an object or structure in a specific direction intended to counteract or resist an impending fracture or break. It is typically used in technical contexts to describe corrective maneuvering that prevents structural failure.

univerbor

C1

Relating to or characterized by the linguistic process where a phrase or sequence of words becomes a single word over time. It describes the morphological fusion of distinct elements into a unified lexeme, such as 'nevertheless' or 'goodbye'.

foreacrtude

C1

Describing a state of proactive mental sharpness and foresight, specifically used to characterize an individual or strategy that anticipates future challenges with acute precision. It combines the prefix 'fore-' (before) with a root suggesting sharpness or acidity of mind, indicating a high level of preparedness and perceptive planning.

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