significant
significant — 形容詞
1. A significant amount, change, or event is big enough for people to notice or for
重要的；顯著
足以產生影響或值得注意的
A significant amount, change, or event is big enough for people to notice or for it to have a real effect.
There is a significant difference between the two teaching methods, according to the report.
根據報告，這兩種教學方法之間存在顯著的差異。
Dr. Shanti’s research made a significant contribution to heart disease treatment.
Shanti 博士的研究對心臟病治療做出了重大的貢獻。
significant contribution to [field]
Brandon saw a significant change in his test scores after he started studying daily.
Brandon 在開始每天讀書之後，他的考試成績有了顯著的變化。
The economic benefits of the new policy were significant for small businesses.
這項新政策帶來的經濟效益對小型企業來說非常顯著。
For Putri, the improvement in her physical health was significant after just three weeks.
對 Putri 來說，僅僅三週後她身體健康的改善就很顯著。
- important
Broader term; can describe subjective value as well as measurable effect
- notable
Suggests something is worth noticing, often on a smaller scale than significant
- substantial
Emphasises size or amount rather than importance or effect
- considerable
Focuses on large quantity or degree, without necessarily implying consequence
- insignificant
Not important or large enough to matter
- minor
Small in size, degree, or importance
- negligible
So small or unimportant that it can be ignored
文法句型
significant + noun
be + significant
it is significant that + clause
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns of measurable change such as difference, increase, decline, impact, or contribution. In academic and formal writing, significant is preferred over big or important to describe effects that can be observed or measured.
常見錯誤
❗ 'She played a significant role in the school play.' ✅ 'She played an important role in the school play.' — significant usually describes measurable effects or changes, not personal or subjective importance.
2. Describes a look, word, gesture, or object that carries a special meaning, espec
意味深長的
表情、眼神或話語帶有特殊含義的
Describes a look, word, gesture, or object that carries a special meaning, especially one that only certain people recognise or that is not immediately obvious.
Roya gave her brother a significant look when their father mentioned the surprise trip.
當父親提到那趟驚喜之旅時，Roya 對她哥哥使了一個意味深長的眼色。
significant look / glance
In their family, the old oak tree has a significant meaning that only relatives understand.
在他們家，那棵老橡樹有著只有親戚才懂的深層含義。
has a significant meaning
Feng nodded in a significant way that told his colleague the deal was not real.
Feng 意味深長地點了點頭，暗示同事那筆交易不是真的。
The song contains a significant reference to an event that happened years ago.
這首歌中隱含著對多年前某個事件的特別指涉。
Pedro and Élise exchanged a significant glance during the meeting that no one else noticed.
Pedro 和 Élise 在會議中交換了一個別有深意的眼神，其他人都沒注意到。
- meaningful
Broader term; can describe personal emotional value as well as hidden meaning
- telling
Reveals something about a situation, often unintentionally
- expressive
Focuses on facial expressions or gestures that show feelings
- suggestive
Hints at something without stating it directly
- meaningless
Having no importance or special significance
- empty
Lacking real meaning or substance
文法句型
significant + noun
be + significant
用法筆記
The subject is typically a look, glance, word, name, gesture, symbol, or object. The special meaning is usually shared only by the people involved or by those who know the context. This sense is common in storytelling and descriptions of non-verbal communication.
常見錯誤
❗ 'The gift was significant to her because she liked the colour.' ✅ 'The gift was significant to her because it represented their years of friendship.' — in this sense, significant implies a hidden or shared meaning, not just personal preference.