refer vs signify

refer and signify both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
refer	No	No	Yes	No
signify	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, signify is a hypernym of refer; that is, signify is a word with a broader meaning than refer:

Other hypernyms of refer include intend, mean, stand for.

refer (verb)	signify (verb)
think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another	convey or express a meaning
have as a meaning	make known with a word or signal
make reference to	denote or connote
use a name to designate
seek information from
send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
be relevant to