The spelling of the word "significant" is interesting because it features the letters "gn" which are not pronounced as they would usually be in English. Instead, they make a sound similar to "ny" or "ñ" in some languages. This is represented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) by the symbol /ɡn/. The word itself means important or meaningful, and its correct spelling is significant for clear communication. So whether you're talking about a significant other or discussing significant events, make sure you spell it right!
"Significant" is an adjective used to describe something that holds importance, relevance, or meaning. It signifies that a particular thing, event, action, or idea carries considerable weight or impact, often marked by its ability to bring about noticeable consequences or influence further developments.
In a quantitative sense, the term refers to a quantity or value that is sufficient or considerable enough to be worthy of attention. For example, a significant amount of money implies a substantial sum that holds financial significance.
In a qualitative sense, "significant" is often used to highlight the importance or noteworthy aspects of an entity. It denotes a degree of significance that distinguishes an item or concept from others in terms of its distinctive attributes, consequences, or contribution.
Furthermore, the term can also denote a notable difference or deviation from what is expected or normal. For instance, a significant change might suggest a noteworthy alteration that has transformed a situation, condition, or perspective in a major way.
The notion of significance can also be subjective, as individuals perceive and evaluate the importance or meaning of something differently based on their particular contexts, experiences, or perspectives. Thus, for something to be considered significant, it often requires a level of consensus or agreement from a relevant group or community.
• Significantly.
• Expressing something beyond the external mark; forcible to express the intended meaning; standing as a sign of something important.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word significant is derived from the Latin word significans, which is the present participle form of the verb significare. This Latin term is composed of two elements: signum, meaning sign, and facere, meaning to make. Therefore, significare can be translated as to make a sign. Over time, the word significare evolved into significant in English, which still retains the core meaning of having a meaning or importance.