What does significantly mean?
Significantly is an adverb meaning to a substantial or important degree. It is used to describe changes, differences, effects, and comparisons that are noticeably larger or more consequential than they would ordinarily be. For example, a study may report that a treatment significantly improved recovery, meaning that the improvement was substantial enough to be meaningful under the study's conditions. The word can also emphasize an important point or feature, as in “significantly, the results varied by age.” It is widely used in academic, business, scientific, and general contexts. While similar in meaning to considerably and markedly, significantly often carries a stronger implication of importance or relevance, though the exact degree implied depends on context. In informal speech, it may simply mean “very noticeably.”
adverbIn a way that is important, substantial, or noticeable. It describes a change, difference, or effect that is significantly greater than usual or expected.
- To a significant extent; in a way that is important, substantial, or noticeable.
"The new treatment significantly reduced the patients' recovery time."
"The number of applications increased significantly after the announcement."
"The two versions are significantly different in both design and performance."
Significantly means more than simply ‘noticeably’: it signals a change or difference substantial enough to matter.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does significantly come from?
The word is formed from the adjective significant, which comes from Latin significare, meaning “to mean” or “to signify.” The same Latin root also underlies English words such as signify, signal, and signature. Significantly is the adverb formed from significant, and its modern meaning developed from the idea of something being important enough to indicate or make a meaningful difference.
Related word forms
How significantly is actually used
Common in formal and professional contexts as well as ordinary speech. It is often used with verbs such as increase, improve, reduce, change, and differ.