Meaning of significant in English

significant

adjective

/sɪɡˈnɪf.ə.kənt/ uk

/sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/

significant adjective (IMPORTANT)

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(also significative)

important or noticeable:

There has been a significant increase in the number of women students in recent years.

The talks between the USA and the USSR were very significant for the relationship between the two countries.

There was no significative change of blood pressure.

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

having great effect or influence

importantIt was one of the most important legal cases of the century.
bigThis is a big game tonight - if we lose, we won't be in the playoffs.
majorThis is a major decision so we'd better get it right.
significantDid he make any significant changes to my suggestions?

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More examplesFewer examples

Is there any significant difference in quality between these two items?
Research in the field of genito-urinary medicine has led to significant health advances in the last decade.
The institution of a Freedom of Information Act has had a significant effect.
You have all invested significant amounts of time and energy in making this project the success that it is.
Lotus make luxury cars for a small but significant niche market.
The treatment resulted in a major and significative reduction of the pain.

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Very important or urgent

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significant adjective (SPECIAL MEANING)

having a special meaning:

She looked at him across the table and gave him a significant smile.

Do you think it's significant that he hasn't replied to my letter yet?

SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases

Meaning & significance

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(Definition of significant from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

significant | Intermediate English

significant

adjective

/sɪɡˈnɪf·ɪ·kənt/

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important, large, or great, esp. in leading to a different result or to an important change:

This election reaffirms a significant shift of the center of power.

Marriage is a significant commitment.

significance

noun [ U ] us

/sɪɡˈnɪf·ɪ·kəns/

The full significance of space exploration may not be understood for many years to come.

(Definition of significant from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Examples of significant

significant

Thus, the finding that 30-45 ppm of the increase happened in just a few centuries was significant.

From Phys.Org

So far, the savings have been pretty significant.

From Business Insider

The world has really changed in significant and encouraging ways.

From TIME

Do you expect any significant changes to come of it?

From The New York Review of Books

But, especially if combined with other steps, it would be a significant step forward.

From Heritage.org

The market has gone up 10 percent in three weeks and that's pretty significant.

From CNBC

The women reported a significant increase in the number of words that their kids understood and vocalized.

From NPR

To be sure, the current level of $5.15 billion in fees last year is significant.

From Dallas Morning News

It went from 34 to 35.8 percent among men, and from 30 to 30.7 percent among women -- not a significant difference.

From Slate Magazine

But this is not the right time or place to discuss a significant force increase.

From Los Angeles Times

However, no significant accidents, damage or injuries were reported, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Here are some significant changes the bill would make, along with some myths about the proposed law.

From Plain Dealer

It's never too late to get on the same page with your significant other.

From Huffington Post

He didn't stand to gain any significant amount of money with a fire.

From Washington Post

It is hard to know what social change taking place today will be the most significant in the long term.

From Huffington Post

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.

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