significance - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
significance Word Meanings
- the importance or meaning of something
- significance in a context
- the quality of being worthy of attention
significance Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
significance Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
US
/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
significance Word Etymology
signi- = mark/symbol, ficare = to make → Latin, then French → English. Imagine a glowing sign that marks a path, symbolizing meaning.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I place my hand on the button and move it a fraction, watching the dial respond. The needle shifts and the room feels a touch more alert. I push, pull, and hold as I tune my attention toward what matters. In this small moment, significance arrives not as a definition but as what this moment makes feel important.
Real Context
Significance refers to the level of importance or meaning something carries within a given situation. It covers both practical weight and implied value, and in academic writing it helps distinguish what matters in the data from what is merely decorative. The term invites nuance: it is not just about how big or flashy something is, but about what it tells us, how it changes interpretation, or what decisions it influences. Learners should listen for phrases like statistical significance, practical significance, or the significance of a finding in context, as these guide whether the writer is making a strong claim or a cautious one.
Usage Reminders
- - Use significance to discuss what matters in a context, not just how big something is
- - Distinguish between statistical significance and practical significance
- - Watch for collocations like 'in significance' (rare) versus 'of significance' (common)
- - Clarify the context when you say something has significance
- - Pair with evidence or data to support the claim
Common Misconceptions
- Significance equals importance in all contexts
- If something is significant, it must be large or dramatic
- Significance is the same as meaning
- Statistical significance proves the finding is important
- Significance cannot change with context
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate significance as both meaning and importance, so learners often confuse it with meaning or emphasis. In science, it is common to pick apart statistical and practical significance, which can be subtle in everyday English. Watch for context and for fixed phrases that help convey nuance, such as 'statistical significance' vs 'practical significance'.
Learning Tips
- 1) Link significance to the evidence
- 2) Distinguish context-dependent nuance
- 3) Practice 'statistical significance' vs 'practical significance'
- 4) Use collocations naturally (has significance in, of significance, in significance)
- 5) Read academic examples to see nuance
- 6) Avoid overgeneralizing a finding's significance
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'significance'?
A.Strength
B.Confidence
C.Happiness
D.Importance
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'significance' used in a sentence?
A.I appreciate the significance of their work.
B.He enjoyed the significance of the party.
C.They ignored the significance of the achievements.
D.She couldn't understand the significance of the event.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'significance'?
A.Meaningless
B.Irrelevance
C.Insignificant
D.Importance
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'significance'?
A.Meaningless
B.Irrelevance
C.Insignificant
D.Importance
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you hear the word 'significance'?
A.At a party talking about the significance of fun
B.At a graduation ceremony discussing the significance of education
C.At a supermarket discussing the significance of discounts
D.At a library discussing the significance of silence
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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