signifiers
Signs that represent
Signifiers are things that convey meaning—words, symbols, images, or gestures that point to something beyond themselves.
The term comes from semiotics, the study of signs: a red octagon is a signifier for "stop," a skull and crossbones signifies danger.
In broader use, signifiers are markers that communicate identity, status, or belonging: Luxury cars are signifiers of wealth.
The word often carries a slightly skeptical tone, suggesting the sign may matter more than the substance.
What a term designates
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- connotationImplied sense, not dictionary
- langueLinguistic system, not speech
- paroleConditional early release
paradigm · metonymy · synecdoche · arbitrariness · binary · opposition · code · structuralism
Implied sense, not dictionary
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
sense · nuance · implication · allusion · subtext · context · association · suggestion
Representational mark or sign
- emblemRepresentational sign or device
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- glyphVisual form of character
- logoCompany identifying symbol
badge · flag · totem · crest · seal · monogram · hallmark · banner
Conveyed thought or feeling
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- articulationClear vocal expression
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- messageTransmitted communication
statement · declaration · announcement · conveyance · transmission · encoding · locution
Representation in art
- portrayalDepiction of someone
- indicationSign of what's coming
- markerSomething that signals location
- pointerReference to memory location
cue · gesture · expression · manifestation · embodiment · stand-in · proxy · substitute
referent
What a term designates
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- connotationImplied sense, not dictionary
- langueLinguistic system, not speech
parole · paradigm · metonymy · synecdoche · arbitrariness · binary · opposition · code · structuralism · poststructuralism
connotation
Implied sense, not dictionary
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- interpretationAssigned meaning
reference · sense · nuance · implication · allusion · subtext · context · association · suggestion · undertone
symbol
Representational mark or sign
logo · badge · flag · totem · crest · seal · monogram · hallmark · banner · sigil
expression
Conveyed thought or feeling
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- articulationClear vocal expression
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
message · statement · declaration · announcement · conveyance · transmission · encoding · locution
depiction
Representation in art
- portrayalDepiction of someone
- indicationSign of what's coming
- markerSomething that signals location
pointer · cue · gesture · expression · manifestation · embodiment · stand-in · proxy · substitute · placeholder
- semioticssymbol, signs, code, meaning, icon
- bullet journalsdaily log, collections, bullets, trackers, habit tracker
- affordancescues, hints, prompts, mappings, constraints
- symbolssymbols, runes, symbol, asterisks, national symbol
- signssigns, exit, neon signs, street signs, open
- nudgesnudge, nudging, prod, poke, prompt