signify vs refer

signify and refer both are verbs.

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

As verbs, refer is a hyponym of signify; that is, refer is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than signify:

Other hyponyms of signify include denote.

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