Cool MateMeaning vs Significance
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Meaning
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Significance
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| Meaning | Significance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmiːnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmiːnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/"]/ |
| Meaning | What something is or represents. | The importance of something. |
| Example | The meaning of the word is very important in understanding the sentence. | The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | clear, exact, precise, comprehend, get, grasp, in a/the meaning, with a/the meaning, meaning behind, a nuance of meaning, a shade of meaning, clear, exact, precise, comprehend, get, grasp, in a/the meaning, with a/the meaning, meaning behind, a nuance of meaning, a shade of meaning, deep, real, true, have, acquire, find, without meaning, clear, exact, precise, comprehend, get, grasp, in a/the meaning, with a/the meaning, meaning behind, a nuance of meaning, a shade of meaning, deep, real, true, have, acquire, find, without meaning | considerable, cosmic, deep, have, acquire, assume, lie in something, attach to something, significance for, significance to, of significance, be of little, no, etc. significance, considerable, cosmic, deep, have, acquire, assume, lie in something, attach to something, significance for, significance to, of significance, be of little, no, etc. significance |
| Antonyms | confusion, ignorance, misunderstanding | insignificance, unimportance |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'mean' as a verb., Using it incorrectly in plural as 'meanings' when referring to a specific definition., Pronouncing it incorrectly as /meening/ instead of /miːnɪŋ/ | Confused with 'significant' as an adjective., Using it in overly casual contexts., Mispronouncing it as 'signifigance'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'meaning' when discussing the significance or interpretation of words, actions, or symbols. Avoid in overly technical contexts. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversations unless discussing important matters. |
Frequently asked questions: Meaning vs Significance
What's the difference between Meaning and Significance?
Meaning: What something is or represents. Significance: The importance of something.
Which is more advanced: Meaning and Significance?
Significance is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Meaning and Significance the same CEFR level?
Meaning: A1, Significance: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Meaning and Significance?
Meaning: noun, Significance: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Meaning: The meaning of the word is very important in understanding the sentence. Significance: The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated.
Can I use Meaning and Significance interchangeably?
Not always. Meaning and Significance are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.