French word

signification

Pronunciation

IPA/siɲifikasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmeaning

Example

Quelle est la signification de ce mot ?

What does this word mean?

Illustration for signification (meaning)

More examples

On discute souvent de la signification culturelle d'une chanson.

People often discuss the cultural significance of a song.

Core concept

The meaning a speaker attaches to a word, sign, or expression.

Common phrases

  • la signification de ce mot

    meaning of this word

  • la signification d'un texte

    meaning of a text

  • la signification culturelle

    cultural significance

Similar words

sens: The basic meaning or content conveyed by a word or expression.
interprétation: An explanation or judgment of what an event or text means.
emploi: The way or context in which a word or expression is used.
définition: A concise statement explaining the meaning of a word or concept.

Definition in French

La signification indique ce que représente un mot ou un signe pour les locuteurs, c'est-à-dire son contenu sémantique partagé.

Word origin

French signification derives from Latin significare, to indicate or signify, through the related noun significatio and its Old French development.

Usage tips

  • For a simple request about a word's meaning, French often uses sens, while signification suits a meaning or significance being examined more explicitly.

Other meanings

  • significancenoun
  • implicationnoun

Opposites

  • non-sensnonsensenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word