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# indicator

noun (an indicator, indicators)

«indicator» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An indicator is something that shows or points to what is happening or what is true, like a sign or measurement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#m1)
2. On a car or bike, an indicator is a flashing light that shows which way the vehicle will turn (a «blinker» or «turn signal» in the US). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#m2)
3. In science, an indicator is a substance that changes colour to show whether something is an acid or an alkali. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons, pupils use red cabbage juice or litmus paper as indicators of acids and alkalis. In road safety, look for a car's indicators but never trust them completely; cyclists use hand signals as indicators. In maths and data, an indicator is a measure that shows a trend, like temperature as an indicator of season. Phrases: litmus indicator, universal indicator, put the indicator on, a good indicator of.

### Examples

- Litmus paper is an indicator that turns red in acid. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x1)
- Red cabbage juice is an indicator: it changes colour in vinegar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x2)
- The car's left indicator was flashing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x3)
- Dad put his indicator on before turning right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x4)
- Dark clouds are an indicator of rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x5)
- The fuel indicator showed the tank was nearly empty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/#x6)

### Note

Countable: indicators («an» before the vowel). Verb: indicate. Car «indicator» is UK/Australian English; US says «turn signal» or «blinker». A car's indicator shows what the driver plans, but always check the car really is turning.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «indicator» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indicator/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«indicator» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/indicator.html) on Mova free.