significance

/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ (bre, ipa) · /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ (ame, ipa) · /sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

significance — 名詞

1. the degree to which something matters, especially in terms of its effect on late

1.名詞B2
釋義

重要性

重要或有影響的性質

the degree to which something matters, especially in terms of its effect on later events or results

例句

The significance of the discovery became clear when it helped doctors treat a rare disease.

這項發現的重要性在於它幫助醫生治療了一種罕見疾病。

the significance of [something] + became clear

Few people at the time understood the full significance of Nia's research on clean water.

當時很少有人理解 Nia 的飲用水研究的全部重要性。

understood the full significance of [something]

同義詞
  • importance

    the closest synonym; interchangeable in most contexts

  • consequence

    more formal and often emphasises the result or outcome of something

  • weight

    less common; suggests seriousness or heavy impact rather than general importance

  • magnitude

    focuses on the large scale or size of something rather than its value or meaning

反義詞
  • insignificance

    the direct opposite; the state of being unimportant

  • unimportance

    more straightforward and less formal than insignificance

文法句型

the significance of [something]

[something] of [adjective] significance

用法筆記

When referring to importance, significance is usually uncountable. It commonly appears with adjectives such as great, real, full, and lasting. Frequent in academic, professional, and formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌This matter has many significances.
✅This matter has great significance.
💡Significance is uncountable when it means importance; do not use it in the plural form.
❌The significance of the problem is not understanding by most people.
✅The significance of the problem is not understood by most people.
💡Significance requires a passive verb form (be understood), not an active gerund (understanding).

2. an understood or felt message that is not communicated in a direct, open way — f

2.名詞B2
釋義

含義；意涵

未直接說明但可理解的意義

an understood or felt message that is not communicated in a direct, open way — for example, the hidden idea behind a gesture, symbol, tradition, or choice of words

例句

Sari wondered if there was a deeper significance to her grandmother's old photograph.

Sari 想知道祖母那張舊照片是否蘊含著更深層的含義。

deeper significance to [something]

There was a special significance to the old key that Talia found in the drawer.

Talia 在抽屜裡找到的那把舊鑰匙有某種特殊的意義。

special significance to [something]

同義詞
  • meaning

    more general; covers both literal and implied meanings

  • implication

    suggests something suggested indirectly, often with consequences attached

  • sense

    can refer to a particular interpretation or way of understanding something

  • import

    very formal; often refers to the deeper or underlying meaning of a statement

文法句型

the significance of [something]

[something] has [adjective] significance for/to [someone]

用法筆記

This sense differs from sense 1 (IMPORTANCE) in that it focuses on understood or felt meaning rather than measurable importance. When you say something has significance in this sense, you emphasize the message or idea it carries, not its impact or value.

常見錯誤

❌I don't understand the significance of this word in the dictionary.
✅I don't understand the meaning of this word in the dictionary.
💡Use meaning for literal dictionary definitions; use significance for implied or deeper meaning.
❌The colour red has many significances in different cultures.
✅The colour red has many meanings / a special significance in different cultures.
💡For this sense, significance can be countable, but meaning is more natural when listing multiple interpretations.