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signifier

to mean

verb see-nyee-FYEH Less Common

Also means

to signify

Usage Note

Signifier is the formal or precise equivalent of vouloir dire when asking what something means. Que signifie ce mot? ('What does this word mean?') is a typical usage. It also appears in legal and official contexts meaning 'to notify' — signifier une décision ('to notify someone of a decision'). The noun signification means 'meaning' or 'significance'.

Examples

"Que signifie ce mot?"

Natural Translation

What does this word mean?

Literal Translation

What signifies this word

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