Significance vs. Importance — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Significance implies a meaning or relevance, while importance indicates the value or priority of something.
Difference Between Significance and Importance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Significance often denotes the meaning, relevance, or symbolic value of something. It delves into the depth of what something represents or the underlying implications. On the other hand, Importance pertains to the value, priority, or precedence something holds in a particular context or situation.
While Significance might ask "What does it stand for?" or "What are its implications?", Importance typically queries "How valuable or essential is it?". Significance often deals with the qualitative aspects, whereas Importance is concerned with the hierarchy of relevance or value.
For example, in a scientific study, the Significance might refer to the relevance or implications of the findings. In contrast, the Importance might denote the priority or cruciality of these findings in the broader context of the research field.
Significance might also touch upon the symbolic or representational aspects of something, emphasizing its deeper or hidden meanings. Importance, meanwhile, straightforwardly communicates the weight or emphasis that should be placed on it.
To understand the difference further, consider an emblem or symbol. Its Significance pertains to what it represents, the story behind it, or its historical context. Its Importance, on the other hand, refers to how valuable or esteemed that symbol is in the present scenario.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Meaning or relevance
Value or priority
Contextual Approach
Delves into depth or underlying implications
Concerned with hierarchy or value
In Research
Relevance or implications of findings
Priority or cruciality of findings
Aspect Focused On
Qualitative or symbolic aspects
Weight or emphasis
Usage Example
"The significance of a ritual"
"The importance of a task"
Compare with Definitions
Significance
The meaning or implication of something.
The significance of his words was lost on the audience.
Importance
The state or quality of being valuable or significant.
The importance of hydration can't be emphasized enough.
Significance
A statistical measure indicating the likelihood that a result is not due to chance.
The study's findings reached statistical significance.
Importance
Priority given to a particular action, item, or person.
They stressed the importance of punctuality.
Significance
The symbolic or representational value of something.
The ring held great significance for her.
Importance
The state of being regarded with special attention or significance.
Historical sites are of utmost importance.
Significance
The relevance or importance of an occurrence or fact.
The discovery's significance can't be overstated.
Importance
The power or influence held by someone or something.
The importance of the decision was evident.
Significance
The quality of being worthy of attention; importance
Adolescent education was felt to be a social issue of some significance
Importance
The weight or emphasis placed on something.
The importance placed on exams is considerable.
Significance
The meaning to be found in words or events
The significance of what was happening was clearer to me than to her
Importance
The quality or condition of being important; significance.
Significance
The extent to which a result deviates from that expected to arise simply from random variation or errors in sampling.
Importance
Personal status; standing
People of great importance.
Significance
The state or quality of being significant
A matter of some significance.
Importance
(Obsolete) Meaning; import.
Significance
A meaning that is expressed or implied
What was the significance of that smile?.
Importance
(Obsolete) Importunity.
Significance
The extent to which something matters; importance
As a juror your opinion is of great significance for the outcome of the trial.
Importance
The quality or condition of being important or worthy of note.
Significance
Meaning.
The significance of a gesture
Importance
Significance or prominence.
Significance
The quality or state of being significant.
Importance
Personal status or standing.
Significance
That which is signified; meaning; import; as, the significance of a nod, of a motion of the hand, or of a word or expression.
Importance
Something of importance.
Significance
Importance; moment; weight; consequence.
With this brain I must work, in order to give significancy and value to the few facts which I possess.
Importance
The quality or state of being important; consequence; weight; moment; significance.
Thy own importance know,Nor bound thy narrow views to things below.
Significance
The quality of being significant;
Do not underestimate the significance of nuclear power
Importance
Subject; matter.
Upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature.
Significance
A meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred;
The significance of his remark became clear only later
The expectation was spread both by word and by implication
Importance
Import; meaning; significance.
The wisest beholder could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow.
Significance
The message that is intended or expressed or signified;
What is the meaning of this sentence
The significance of a red traffic light
The signification of Chinese characters
The import of his announcement was ambigtuous
Importance
Importunity; solicitation.
At our importance hither is he come.
Significance
The quality of being significant.
The significance of the event was felt worldwide.
Importance
The quality of being important and worthy of note;
The importance of a well-balanced diet
Importance
A prominent status;
A person of importance
Common Curiosities
Can one thing have both significance and importance?
Yes, an item or event can carry both a deep meaning (significance) and be of high value or priority (importance).
What does importance convey in a general context?
Importance typically conveys the value, worth, or priority of something.
Which term, significance or importance, is more qualitative?
Significance is generally more qualitative, focusing on underlying meanings or implications.
Can significance be used in a statistical context?
Yes, in statistics, significance refers to the likelihood that a result is not due to chance.
When discussing the value of a task, which word is more appropriate?
When discussing the value or priority of a task, "importance" is usually more appropriate.
How does importance differ from significance?
Importance pertains to the value, priority, or precedence something holds, while significance delves into its deeper meaning or implications.
In what context is importance most prominently used?
Importance is commonly used to communicate the weight, value, or priority of a matter in various scenarios.
Can something be important but not significant?
Yes, something might be prioritized or valued (important) without having deeper symbolic or representational meaning (significant).
What does significance primarily denote?
Significance primarily denotes the meaning, relevance, or symbolic value of something.
How does significance relate to cultural or historical items?
For cultural or historical items, significance often pertains to their symbolic, historical, or representational meanings.
Is the significance of a symbol the same as its importance?
Not necessarily. The significance of a symbol refers to its meaning, while its importance denotes its current value or esteem.
Are significance and importance interchangeable?
Although they have overlapping areas, they are not always interchangeable as they carry distinct primary meanings.
Which term is more subjective: significance or importance?
Both terms can be subjective, but significance, which often deals with deeper meanings, can be particularly subjective.
How do significance and importance relate to prioritization?
While both can influence prioritization, importance directly relates to how tasks or items are ranked in order of value or precedence.
Can the significance of an event change over time?
Yes, as perceptions and understandings evolve, the significance attributed to events can also change.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
