indicate

[in-di-keyt]

verb (used with object)

indicated, indicating 

1. to be a sign of; betoken; evidence; show.

   His hesitation really indicates his doubt about the venture.

2. to point out or point to; direct attention to.

   to indicate a place on a map.

3. to show, as by measuring or recording; make known.

   The thermometer indicates air temperature.

   Synonyms: record, reveal, register

4. to state or express, especially briefly or in a general way; signal.

   He indicated his disapproval but did not go into detail.

5. Medicine/Medical.

   1. (of symptoms) to point out (a particular remedy, treatment, etc.) as suitable or necessary.

   2. to show the presence of (a condition, infection, etc.).

indicate

/ ˈɪndɪˌkeɪt, -trɪ, ɪnˈdɪkətərɪ /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to be or give a sign or symptom of; imply

   cold hands indicate a warm heart

2. to point out or show

3. (may take a clause as object) to state briefly; suggest

   he indicated what his feelings were

4. (of instruments) to show a reading of

   the speedometer indicated 50 miles per hour

5. (usually passive) to recommend or require

   surgery seems to be indicated for this patient

Other Word Forms

• indicatable adjective
• indicatory adjective
• interindicate verb (used with object)
• reindicate verb (used with object)
• unindicated adjective
• well-indicated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin indicātus, past participle of indicāre “to point, make known,” equivalent to indic- (stem of index ) “pointer, marker, informer” + -ātus past participle suffix; index, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of indicate¹

C17: from Latin indicāre to point out, from _in- ² + dicāre to proclaim; compare _index

Example Sentences

Emails with Facebook that Mr Zuckerberg shared with local media indicate the company had accused him of not using his "authentic name".

From BBC

Onscreen text might indicate that they were polarizing figures, but the films itself never engage with the scandals.

From Los Angeles Times

"We want to reassure the public that our exhaustive investigations have found no evidence whatsoever to indicate any risk or harm to patients at our hospitals," they said.

From BBC

Operators would have to explain why they could not suspend drilling to avoid flaring and indicate that they had investigated all options for using the gas before flaring.

From Salon

Each ring typically indicated one year of growth suggesting the tree was at least 100 to 120 years old, he added, with the section having been examined at Fort Cumberland Laboratories in Portsmouth.

From BBC

Related Words

• announce 
• argue 
• demonstrate 
• express 
• hint 
• illustrate 
• imply 
• make 
• mark 
• mean 
• pinpoint 
• point out 
• prove 
• reveal 
• show 
• signal 
• specify 
• suggest