Explanation at your level:
When something is significant, it is important. If you have a significant problem, it is a big problem. You use this word when you want to say that something is not small. It is a very useful word for talking about things that matter to you.
Use significant to describe a change or a difference that you can see. For example, if you practice English every day, you will see a significant improvement in your skills. It means the change is large enough to be noticed by everyone.
In this stage, you can use significant to talk about trends or data. If a company reports a significant increase in sales, it means the numbers went up by a lot. It is a great alternative to the word 'big' when you want to sound more formal or precise in your writing.
At this level, you might use significant to discuss nuance. A significant factor in a decision is one that carries a lot of weight. You might also use it in the phrase 'significant other' to describe a partner. It helps you articulate why certain details are more important than others in an argument.
Advanced users employ significant to denote statistical or qualitative importance. In academic writing, a significant finding is one that is unlikely to have occurred by chance. It suggests a depth of analysis where you are not just observing events, but evaluating their broader implications and causal links.
At the mastery level, significant is used to convey gravity and historical or cultural weight. A significant work of literature is one that alters the trajectory of a genre. You might use it to describe a significant shift in geopolitical paradigms, where the word implies a transformative impact that reshapes the status quo permanently.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Means important or large.
- Comes from Latin 'signum'.
- Used to describe impact.
- Common in professional settings.
Hey there! Think of the word significant as a way to say that something really counts. It is not just any detail; it is a detail that changes the picture.
When you call something significant, you are telling others that it has substance. Whether it is a significant increase in your savings or a significant person in your life, you are highlighting that this thing is not invisible—it has a real, measurable impact on the world around you.
The word significant comes from the Latin word significans, which is the present participle of significare. This root literally means 'to make a sign' or 'to signify'.
It is built from signum (a sign) and facere (to make). So, historically, something significant is something that 'makes a sign' or points toward a larger meaning. It has been used in English since the 16th century to describe things that carry weight or importance.
You will hear significant used in both professional and casual settings. It is a favorite in business and science because it sounds precise.
Commonly, we pair it with nouns like change, difference, impact, or improvement. While you could say 'a big change,' using 'a significant change' adds a layer of professionalism and gravity to your statement.
While significant itself isn't always in idioms, it is often linked to phrases like a significant other, which is a common way to refer to a romantic partner.
Other related expressions include carry weight (meaning to be significant), make a mark (leave a significant impression), turn the tide (a significant shift), a big deal (casual for significant), and of note (something significant enough to mention).
Pronounced sig-NIF-ih-kunt, the stress falls on the second syllable. It is a four-syllable word that flows quite smoothly in speech.
Grammatically, it is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun (a significant event) or after a linking verb (the discovery was significant). It does not have a plural form, but you can use adverbs like highly or statistically to modify it.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'sign'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'sig' sound
Slightly faster 'cant' at the end
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- mispronouncing the 'cant' as 'kent'
- swallowing the 'f'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Common in writing
Common in speech
Frequent in media
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The significant change.
Linking verbs
The change is significant.
Adverb modification
Highly significant.
Examples by Level
This is a significant day.
important day
adjective before noun
There was a significant change in the weather.
He made a significant effort to study.
The price increase is significant.
It is a significant moment for us.
They found a significant clue.
She plays a significant role.
We saw a significant improvement.
This news is significant.
The study showed a significant result.
He is a significant figure in politics.
There is a significant difference in price.
She has a significant amount of work.
The project had a significant impact.
They reached a significant milestone.
It was a significant loss for the team.
Is this detail significant?
The data indicates a significant trend.
He is my significant other.
There was a significant delay in the flight.
The law had a significant effect on society.
They noticed a significant decline in birds.
It is a significant contribution to science.
The evidence is statistically significant.
We need a significant change in policy.
His research made a significant contribution to the field.
The painting holds significant historical value.
There is a significant disparity between the two groups.
She played a significant part in the negotiations.
The shift in power was significant.
We observed a significant deviation from the norm.
The discovery had significant implications for medicine.
He expressed significant concern about the plan.
The artist's work reflects a significant evolution in style.
There is a significant correlation between diet and health.
The policy change was of significant importance.
The event marked a significant turning point in history.
Her argument was built on significant evidence.
The company faces a significant challenge ahead.
The lack of resources is a significant hurdle.
The move had a significant impact on the local economy.
Sinônimos
Antônimos
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"a big deal"
something important
It is a big deal to me.
casual"carry weight"
to be influential
His opinion carries weight.
neutral"make a splash"
to cause a significant stir
The new product made a splash.
casual"turn the tide"
to change the outcome significantly
This win turned the tide.
neutral"of note"
worth mentioning
Nothing of note happened.
formal"the bottom line"
the most significant point
The bottom line is we need money.
neutralEasily Confused
similar sound
magnificent means beautiful/grand
A magnificent view vs a significant change.
similar ending
sufficient means enough
Sufficient food vs significant food.
N/A
N/A
N/A
opposite
not important
An insignificant detail.
Sentence Patterns
It is a significant [noun]
It is a significant event.
The [noun] is significant
The change is significant.
There is a significant [noun]
There is a significant difference.
He played a significant role in [noun]
He played a significant role in the project.
This is highly significant for [noun]
This is highly significant for our future.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
significant implies a measurable or deep impact
significant is an adjective
ends in -ant
highly is a better collocation
needs a noun to describe
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant sign in your living room.
Native Speakers
Use it to add weight to your arguments.
Cultural Insight
Used often in news reports.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it before the noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the NIF part.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for tiny things.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for sign.
Study Smart
Write 5 sentences about your life.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SIGnificant = SIGN-if-I-can (I can see the sign because it is important).
Visual Association
A giant neon sign pointing to something.
Word Web
Desafio
Use the word 'significant' in an email today.
Origem da palavra
Latin
Original meaning: to make a sign
Contexto cultural
None
Commonly used in academic and professional settings to sound authoritative.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- significant progress
- significant impact
- significant factor
in science
- statistically significant
- significant result
- significant deviation
in relationships
- significant other
- significant bond
- significant moment
in news
- significant change
- significant event
- significant decline
Conversation Starters
"What is a significant event in your life?"
"Can you describe a significant change in your city?"
"Who is a significant person you admire?"
"Why is this project significant to you?"
"What is a significant challenge you have overcome?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a significant memory from childhood.
Describe a significant choice you made recently.
Why is learning English significant for your goals?
What makes a person significant in your eyes?
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasNot always. Significant implies importance, not just size.
Yes, a significant person.
Significantly.
Sig-NIF-ih-kunt.
It is neutral but leans formal.
A romantic partner.
Yes, but 'highly significant' is better.
Mostly, yes.
Teste-se
That was a ___ day for me.
It describes an important day.
What does significant mean?
It means important.
Significant can mean small and unimportant.
It means the opposite.
Word
Significado
They are synonyms.
It is a significant change.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Significant is the word to use when something truly matters.
- Means important or large.
- Comes from Latin 'signum'.
- Used to describe impact.
- Common in professional settings.
Memory Palace
Imagine a giant sign in your living room.
Native Speakers
Use it to add weight to your arguments.
Cultural Insight
Used often in news reports.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it before the noun.
Exemplo
There is a significant difference in price between these two stores.
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