英 [ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪə(r)] 美 [ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪər]
n. （语言学）能指（语言的符号形式，区别于意义）；记号；表示者
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
同义词： form / word form / descriptor
能指-引用次数：72
In the same time, advertising image occupies a position of a signifier, the desire hiding in our unconscious is a signified.
进一步，广告形象同时又是一个能指，所指则是我们深藏于无意识中的种种欲望。
能指-引用次数：35
. First,the linguistic signs share the nature of opposition and unity,namely,the signifier and signified,invariability and variability. Moreover,it is also found in the linguistic aspects such as syntagmatic relations and paradigmatic relations,concretness and abstractions,identities and differences,and etc.
语言符号中含有对立与统一:能指与所指、不变性与可变性;语言维面中也体现着对立与统一:组合与聚合、抽象与具体、一致与不同。
信号物
...与皮尔斯是符号学研究领域的先驱者，索绪尔的结构主义符号学为欧洲符号学研究奠定了基础概念，他将符号学分解为能指（Signifier）和所指(Signified)即指称物和被指称物两个部分，也就是形式与内容。
... signer签名者；用手势示意者 signifier信号物，记号；表示者 signaler信号装置；信号员 ...
... signer签名者；用手势示意者 signifier信号物，记号；表示者 signaler信号装置；信号员 ...
...为小说中的主角汤尼，就像一般男人，我们透过小说里的故事，经历了他的悲剧与伤痛，会同情他，电影中出现了几个意符（signifier），汤尼在小说中的世界穿著红色格子衬衫，那段故事中用了大量红色作为意符，重点就在这些色彩意符，它同时也是一种电影语言，在这...
significative 有意义的；表示…的；为…提供推定证据的
signature 署名；签名；信号
signification 意义；表示
signify 有重要性；要紧；冒充内行
signify 表示；意味；预示
Connectedness is now a crucial social signifier.
联通性是一项重要的社交标志物。
the signified-signifier relationship, as I said, is arbitrary.
所指和能指的关系，就如我刚才说的，是任意的。
He USES alcohol as a signifier of the petty, the negative and the evil.
他以酒精象征狭隘、消极和罪恶。
The concept he calls a "signified" and the sound image he calls a "signifier."
事物被称为所指,声音形象被称为能指“
文学理论导论课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
So that what's new in Saussure's thinking about the relationship between signified and signifier is that the sign tied up in this relationship is both arbitrary and differential.
这就是索绪尔所贡献的了,能指和所指的关系,也就是符号的组成方式,是任意的，有差别的。
文学理论导论课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
He says: he signification "sign" has always been comprehended and determined, in its sense, as sign-of, signifier referring to a signified, signifier different from its signified.
他说，“符号“的意义“,总是被理解和决定的，在符号这个意义上，能指指向所指，能指与它的所指不同。
文学理论导论课程节选 : 耶鲁公开课
The head of Diageo for Africa, Nick Blazquez, says that Johnnie Walker is a useful signifier of success.
ECONOMIST: Persuading Africans to switch from beer to Scotch
It is very difficult to get into one of these residency programs so that credential alone is a signifier of quality.
FORBES: Smart Patient Tip: Patronize Only Board-Certified Dermatologists
But to use it as the signifier for 35 paintings by 27 artists over 79 years seems like nothing more than an advertising ploy.