significantly
UK: sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli | US: sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəntli
adv. in a way that is large or important enough to be noticed or have an effect
adv. in a way that has a particular meaning or expresses a particular idea
The word "significantly" originates from the Latin root "signum" (meaning "mark" or "sign"), which evolved into the verb "signify" (to make a mark or convey meaning). The suffix "-ant" forms adjectives indicating a quality (e.g., "important"), and "-ly" converts it into an adverb. The progression reflects the idea of conveying importance or meaning in a measurable way.
The new policy has significantly improved employee satisfaction.
Her test scores increased significantly after extra tutoring.
The discovery was significantly different from previous findings.
He nodded significantly, hinting at a hidden agreement.
Climate change has significantly altered weather patterns worldwide.