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Reference.org
Floating signifier
open-in-new
<p>In <a href="/facts/Semiotics/DuS3kK2g">semiotics</a> and <a href="/facts/Discourse_analysis/aoqbxvVW">discourse analysis</a>, floating signifiers (also referred to as empty signifiers, although these terms have been made distinct) are <a href="/facts/Sign_(semiotics)/NnPPsndG">signifiers</a> without a <a href="/facts/Referent/QfURtq1V">referent</a>. The term open signifier is sometimes used as a synonym due to the empty signifier's nature to "resist the constitution of any unitary meaning", enabling its ability to remain open to different meanings in different contexts. </p>