the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
Used in a Sentence
signifier
How to use signifier in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for signifier.
Editorial note
Fashion is often used as a signifier of wealth.
Examples16
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of signifier gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for signifier.
noun
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
See also: form, descriptor
Example sentences
Fashion is often used as a signifier of wealth.
Yep, I think Brubeck had a place as a cultural signifier in that time.
It's nothing more than a signifier, of which people place a negative connotation on being a virgin.
And I think there is a lot to talk about with Surface, both on the product in itself and on the product as a signifier.
In the USA, conspicuously trying to save money on staple foods is a signifier of poverty.
In this case, baldness is a signifier -- a sort of subconscious code -- for a host of other traits that are seen as powerful.
A lifetime spent designing guitars is a signifier of passion and competence.
Basically, it's a signifier of "framework that gets you to pretty/shiny/beepy/pokey the quickest".
If racist language is not in itself a signifier of racism, then what the heck is?And at a minimum it ought to be a firing offense.
Could someone explain for the ahh more financially nave among us why private equity is the important signifier here?
Once you discard of fourth level comments and all the noise below, you should find that the ratio of comments is a pretty good signifier of the quality of the article.
The law merely aids the confluence of capitalism: money, a signifier -- to represent resources: the signified.
I took offense to "every self-taught computer scientist".I'll be the first to admit that university is bullshit and mostly acts as a social signifier.
In the US, the "liberal" signifier refers to the fact that the person believes that the government should not regulate personal decisions like gay marriage.
That kind of snarky & sarcastic comment is misdirected though, because the residents of the Vatican need to be able to buy stuff just like the rest of us do, it's hardly a signifier of unwarranted wealth.
Being well-read and cultured is dying as a signifier of cultural superiority or as a topic of social conversation, so those utilitarian purposes really don't hold.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use signifier in a sentence?
Fashion is often used as a signifier of wealth.
What does signifier mean?
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; "the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached"
What part of speech is signifier?
signifier is commonly used as noun.