Signified for Dummies

Alright, so "signified" is a word that has a few different meanings, but don't worry, I'm going to break it down for you in a way that's easy to understand. So when we talk about "signified," we're really talking about the meaning or the idea that a word or a sign represents. It's like when we use a sign with a picture of a dog on it, we understand that it means there's a dog nearby, right? That picture of the dog is the signifier, and the actual dog is the signified - it's the thing that the sign represents.

But "signified" can also mean something more abstract. It can refer to the concept or the idea behind a word or a symbol. For example, if I say the word "home," that word represents the concept of a place where you feel safe and comfortable, right? So in that case, "home" is the signifier, and all the feelings and meanings associated with the idea of home are the signified.

So, in simple terms, "signified" means the thing or the idea that a word or a symbol stands for or represents. It's like the real-life thing or the concept behind the sign or the word. And that's the basic idea of what "signified" means. I hope that all makes sense to you!