sig· nif· i· cant | \ sig-ˈni-fi-kənt \
Definition of serious
1: having meaning
especially : SUGGESTIVE
a significant glance
2a: having or likely to possess influence or effect : IMPORTANT
a significant piece of legislation
also : of a noticeably or measurably great deal
a significant number of layoffs
producing significant profits
b: probably caused by something aside from mere chance
statistically significant correlation between vitamin deficiency and disease
Synonyms & Antonyms for significant
Synonyms
eloquent, expressive, meaning, meaningful, pregnant, revealing, revelatory, suggestive
Antonyms
unexpressive
Examples of significant during a Sentence
Historians of ancient gender have seen this as crucially significant. Women in antiquity were by definition so disempowered that the authority of a replacement female ruler could only be captured by representing her within the guise of a person . approximately the argument goes.
— Mary Beard, ny Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
While Congress will take a big role in designing new regulation and isn’t likely to rubber-stamp the administration’s proposals, momentum is robust for the creation of comprehensive financial reform.
— Marc I. Seltzer et al., Commonweal, 19 June 2009
Recent Examples on the online
Cars yielded more often to female and white pedestrians than male and nonwhite pedestrians, although not enough either thanks to register as statistically significant.
— Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, “New Study Says Expensive Cars Are Bought by Jerks Who Won’t Yield,” 28 Feb. 2020
While there was tons at stake, the potential reward was significant.
— Dan Amos, Fortune, “Being a CEO is more tenuous than ever. I survived 30 years at Aflac by managing risks,” 27 Feb. 2020
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘significant.’ Views expressed within the examples don’t represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More Definitions for significant
significant adjective
English Language Learners Definition of serious
: large enough to be noticed or have an impact
: vital
: having a special or hidden meaning
See the complete definition for significant within the English Learners Dictionary
significant adjective
sig· nif· i· cant | \ sig-ˈni-fi-kənt \
Kids Definition of serious
1: having a special or hidden meaning
The teacher gave them a big smile.
2: IMPORTANT sense 1
These changes are significant.
3: large enough to be noticed
He donated a big amount of cash .
significant adjective
sig· nif· i· cant | \ sig-ˈnif-i-kənt \
Medical Definition of serious
: probably caused by something aside from mere chance
a statistically significant correlation between diet and disease