Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense signs, present participle signing, past tense, past participle signed
1. countable noun
A sign is a mark or shape that always has a particular meaning, for example in mathematics or music.
Equations are generally written with a two-bar equals sign.
Synonyms: symbol, mark, character, figure More Synonyms of sign
2. countable noun
A sign is a movement of your arms, hands, or head which is intended to have a particular meaning.
They gave Lavalle the thumbs-up sign.
He made a sign of assent. [+ of]
Synonyms: gesture, signal, motion, indication More Synonyms of sign
3. verb
If you sign, you communicate with someone using sign language. If a programme or performance is signed, someone uses sign language so that deaf people can understand it.
All programmes will be either 'signed' or subtitled. [beVERB-ed]
4. countable noun
A sign is a piece of wood, metal, or plastic with words or pictures on it. Signs give you information about something, or give you a warning or an instruction.
...a sign saying that the highway was closed because of snow.
Over his head, he held a cardboard sign saying 'Free Hugs' in big, black letters.
As soon as the seat belt sign had been switched off, we rushed out.
Synonyms: notice, board, warning, signpost More Synonyms of sign
5. variable noun
If there is a signof something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening.
They are prepared to hand back a hundred prisoners of war a day as a sign of goodwill. [+ of]
His face and movements rarely betrayed a sign of nerves.
Your blood would have been checked for any sign of kidney failure. [+ of]
Synonyms: indication, evidence, trace, mark More Synonyms of sign
6. verb
When you sign a document, you write your name on it, usually at the end or in a special space. You do this to indicate that you have written the document, that you agree with what is written, or that you were present as a witness.
World leaders are expected to sign a treaty pledging to increase environmental protection. [VERB noun]
Before an operation the patient will be asked to sign a consent form. [VERB noun]
7. verb
If an organization signs someone or if someone signs for an organization, they sign a contract agreeing to work for that organization for a specified period of time.
The Blues' boss planned to sign a big-name striker in January. [VERB noun]
The band then signed to Slash Records. [VERB + to]
[Also V + for]
8. countable noun
In astrology, a sign or a signof the zodiac is one of the twelve areas into which the heavens are divided.
The New Moon takes place in your opposite sign of Libra on the 15th.
9. See also signing, call sign
10.
See no sign of someone
11.
See signed and sealed
12. to sign one's own death warrant
Phrasal verbs:
See sign away
See sign for
See sign in
See sign off
See sign on
See sign on for
See sign over
See sign up
More Synonyms of sign
sign in British English
(saɪn)
noun
1.
something that indicates or acts as a token of a fact, condition, etc, that is not immediately or outwardly observable
2.
an action or gesture intended to convey information, a command, etc
3.
a.
a board, placard, etc, displayed in public and inscribed with words or designs intended to inform, warn, etc
b.
(as modifier)
a sign painter
4.
an arbitrary or conventional mark or device that stands for a word, phrase, etc
5. mathematics, logic
a.
any symbol indicating an operation
a plus sign
an implication sign
b.
the positivity or negativity of a number, quantity, or expression
subtraction from zero changes the sign of an expression
6.
an indication or vestige
the house showed no signs of being occupied
7.
a portentous or significant event
8.
an indication, such as a scent or spoor, of the presence of an animal
9. medicine
any objective evidence of the presence of a disease or disorder
Compare symptom (sense 1)
10. astrology Compare sign of the zodiac
verb
11.
to write (one's name) as a signature to (a document, etc) in attestation, confirmation, ratification, etc
12. (intransitive; often foll byto)
to make a sign; signal
13.
to engage or be engaged by written agreement, as a player for a team, etc
14. (transitive)
to outline in gestures a sign over, esp the sign of the cross
15. (transitive)
to indicate by or as if by a sign; betoken
16. (intransitive)
to use sign language
Derived forms
signable (ˈsignable)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French signe, from Latin signum a sign
sign in American English
(sain)
noun
1.
a token; indication
2.
any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning
3.
a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents
4.
a motion or gesture used to express or convey an idea, command, decision, etc
Her nod was a sign that it was time to leave
5.
a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view
a traffic sign
a store sign
6.
a trace; vestige
There wasn't a sign of them
7.
an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc
8. Medicine
the objective indications of a disease
9.
any meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language
10.
an omen; portent
a sign of approaching decadence
11. See sign of the zodiac
12. See "> sign language (sense 1)
13. (usually signs)
traces, as footprints, of a wild animal
14. Math
a.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction
b.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer
c. See multiplication sign
d. See division sign
e.
a symbol, as √̅ or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation
transitive verb
15.
to affix a signature to
to sign a letter
16.
to write as a signature
to sign one's name
17.
to engage by written agreement
to sign a new player
18.
to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross
19.
to communicate by means of a sign; signal
He signed his wish to leave
20.
to convey (a message) in a sign language
21. obsolete
to direct or appoint by a sign
intransitive verb
22.
to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc
to sign for a package
23.
to make a sign or signal
He signed to her to go away
24.
to employ a sign language for communication
25.
to obligate oneself by signature
He signed with another team for the next season
26. See sign away
27. See sign in
28. See sign off
29. See sign on
30. See sign up
Derived forms
signless
adjective
signlike
adjective
Word origin
[1175–1225; (n.) ME signe ‹ OF ‹ L signum mark, sign, ensign, signal, image; (v.) ME signen to mark with a sign, esp. the sign of the cross ‹ OF signer ‹ L signāre to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to, deriv. of signum]
More idioms containing
sign
sign someone's or something's death warrant
sign on the dotted line
COBUILD Collocations
sign
another sign
definite sign
hopeful sign
little sign
obvious sign
ominous sign
promising sign
slightest sign
victory sign
visible sign
Examples of 'sign' in a sentence
sign
The trouble is they always leave telltale signs of their presence.
The Sun (2012)
The regime shows no sign of backing down.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Two years is not a lot of evidence but the signs are good.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is true that when he got injured you could see signs of fatigue.
The Sun (2016)
This may be a sign something is up.
The Sun (2015)
The sun deep in your birth sign gives you energy and makes you such good company.
The Sun (2014)
Around one in ten people will get warning signs days or weeks before.
The Sun (2010)
Not only did he fail to alert the board but he signed off the circular.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Just be careful if you are signing official documents.
The Sun (2015)
There are signs that cooler heads are beginning to prevail.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We made sure tenants and owners signed the same good neighbour agreements.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Was he supposed to sign in blood?
Christianity Today (2000)
You know the name and star sign of the goat it came from.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Those who are on benefits need to be available for work or to sign on.
The Sun (2011)
They said it gave them a chance to look for early signs of the disease.
The Sun (2012)
He was turned down because his face showed signs of previous operations to thin his lower lip.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Standing at the bar in a restaurant or pub is the universal sign language for being open to meeting people.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Outside men held cardboard signs pleading'Does anybody have a spare ticket?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Fine, if they were about to sign him.
The Sun (2013)
Users sign up, write in where they would like to then see if anyone else up for it.
The Sun (2015)
Only when the album was nearing completion and he realised the huge commercial boost it would give the band did he sign up for it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
sign
British English: sign /saɪn/ NOUN
symbol A sign is a mark or a shape that has a special meaning.
In maths, + is a plus sign and - is a minus sign.
American English: sign
Arabic: عَلَامَة
Brazilian Portuguese: sinal
Chinese: 标志
Croatian: znak
Czech: známka
Danish: tegn
Dutch: teken
European Spanish: señal aviso
Finnish: merkki
French: signe
German: Zeichen
Greek: σήμα
Italian: segno
Japanese: 兆候
Korean: 표시
Norwegian: tegn
Polish: znak oznaka
European Portuguese: sinal indicação
Romanian: semn
Russian: знак
Latin American Spanish: señal signo, indicación
Swedish: tecken
Thai: ป้าย
Turkish: işaret
Ukrainian: знак
Vietnamese: dấu hiệu
British English: sign /saɪn/ VERB
When you sign a document, you write your name on it.
Before his operation the patient was asked to sign a consent form.
Just sign here, please.
American English: sign
Arabic: يُوقِّعُ
Brazilian Portuguese: assinar
Chinese: 签名
Croatian: potpisati
Czech: podepsat
Danish: underskrive
Dutch: tekenen ondertekenen
European Spanish: firmar
Finnish: allekirjoittaa
French: signer
German: unterschreiben
Greek: υπογράφω
Italian: firmare
Japanese: 署名する
Korean: 서명하다
Norwegian: signere
Polish: podpisać
European Portuguese: assinar
Romanian: a semna
Russian: подписывать(ся)
Latin American Spanish: firmar
Swedish: underteckna
Thai: เซ็นชื่อ
Turkish: imzalamak
Ukrainian: підписувати(ся)
Vietnamese: ký tên
British English: sign /saɪn/ NOUN
gesture You can make a sign to somebody by moving something.
They gave me a sign to show that everything was all right.
American English: sign
Arabic: إشارَة
Brazilian Portuguese: sinal
Chinese: 信号
Croatian: signalizirati
Czech: znamení
Danish: tegn
Dutch: teken
European Spanish: señal
Finnish: merkki
French: faire un signe
German: Zeichen
Greek: σινιάλο
Italian: segno
Japanese: 合図
Korean: 표시
Norwegian: tegn
Polish: znak
European Portuguese: sinal
Romanian: semn
Russian: знак
Latin American Spanish: señal
Swedish: tecken
Thai: ให้สัญญาณ
Turkish: işaret
Ukrainian: знак
Vietnamese: dấu hiệu
All related terms of 'sign'
V-sign
In Britain, a V-sign is a rude gesture which is made by sticking up your first two fingers in a V shape, with the palm of your hand facing you.
re-sign
to sign (a document, etc) again
sign in
If you sign in , you officially indicate that you have arrived at a hotel or club by signing a book or form.
sign on
When an unemployed person signs on , they officially inform the authorities that they are unemployed, so that they can receive money from the government in order to live .
sign up
If you sign up for an organization or if an organization signs you up , you sign a contract officially agreeing to do a job or course of study.
air sign
one of a group of three signs of the zodiac , Gemini , Libra , and Aquarius
call sign
A call sign is the letters and numbers which identify a person, vehicle, or organization that is broadcasting on the radio or sending messages by radio.
exit sign
a sign above a door through which a person can leave a building
fire sign
any of the three astrological signs , Aries , Leo , or Sagittarius , that are grouped together because of the shared attributes of enthusiasm , vitality , and interest in spiritual things
halt sign
a sign instructing traffic to stop and then proceed only if the road ahead is clear
hex sign
any of various colorful, stylized designs painted on Pennsylvania Dutch barns and thought to ward off evil
high sign
a prearranged and usually covert signal to someone to tell them that they can do something
inn sign
a sign on a small pub or hotel (an inn ), usually displaying its name
neon sign
a sign illuminated by neon or neon lamps
plus sign
A plus sign is the sign + which is put between two numbers in order to show that the second number is being added to the first . It can also be put before a number to show that the number is greater than zero (+3), and after a number to indicate a number that is more than a minimum number or amount (18+).
road sign
a sign on a road
root sign
the symbol √ placed before a number or quantity to indicate the extraction of a root , esp a square root. The value of a higher root is indicated by a raised digit in front of the symbol, as in 3 √
sign away
If you sign something away , you sign official documents that mean that you no longer own it or have a right to it.
sign for
If you sign for something, you officially state that you have received it, by signing a form or book .
sign off
If someone signs off , they write a final message at the end of a letter or they say a final message at the end of a phone conversation . You can say that people such as entertainers sign off when they finish a broadcast .
sign out
to sign (one's name) to indicate that one is leaving a place
sign over
If you sign something over , you sign documents that give someone else property , possessions , or rights that were previously yours.
sign test
a statistical test used to analyse the direction of differences of scores between the same or matched pairs of subjects under two experimental conditions
soft sign
a letter of the Cyrillic alphabet , also known as the front yer , that indicates softening of the preceding consonant
star sign
Your star sign is the sign of the zodiac under which you were born.
stop sign
a traffic sign directing traffic to stop
sun sign
any of the 12 equal areas, 30° wide , into which the zodiac can be divided, named after the 12 zodiacal constellations . In astrology , it is thought that a person's psychological type and attitudes to life can be correlated with the sign in which the sun lay at the moment of his or her birth , with the ascendant sign, and to a lesser extent with the signs in which other planets lay at this time
birth sign
the sign of the zodiac through which the sun is passing when a person is born
ditto sign
two small marks (") placed under something to indicate that it is to be repeated
dollar sign
punctuation symbol ($ ), used to indicate a price in dollars
earth sign
one of a group of three signs of the zodiac , Taurus , Virgo , and Capricorn
equal sign
An equal sign is the sign =, which is used in arithmetic to indicate that two numbers or sets of numbers are equal.
fixed sign
any of the four astrological signs, Taurus , Leo , Scorpio , or Aquarius , that are grouped together because of their placement midway between solstices and equinoxes and characterized by identification of those born under the sign with the shared attribute of motivation through subjective values toward a well-defined goal
Indian sign
a magic spell designed to place the victim in one's power or bring him or her bad luck
little sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
local sign
the information from a receptor in the eye or the skin signifying respectively a direction in space or a given point on the body
minus sign
A minus sign is the sign - which is put between two numbers in order to show that the second number is being subtracted from the first one. It is also put before a number to show that the number is less than zero .
peace sign
a gesture made with the palm of the hand outwards and the index and middle fingers raised in a V
pound sign
the symbol (?£) that represents a pound in British money
repeat sign
a sign on a piece of music instructing the player to replay a certain passage or section
sign manual
a person's signature in his or her own hand , esp that of a sovereign on an official document
sign writer
someone whose job is to produce signs for businesses
another sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
definite sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
division sign
A division sign is the symbol ÷ used between two numbers to show that the first number has to be divided by the second .
hopeful sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
negative sign
the symbol (–) used to indicate a negative quantity or a subtraction ; minus sign
obvious sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
ominous sign
If there is a sign of something, there is something which shows that it exists or is happening .
positive sign
the sign (+) used to indicate a positive quantity
Chinese translation of 'sign'
sign
(saɪn)
n
(c) (= notice) 指示牌 (zhǐshìpái) (块(塊), kuài)
⇒ a sign saying "No Exit"一块写着"禁止入内"的指示牌 (yī kuài xiězhe "jìnzhǐ rù nèi" de zhǐshìpái)
(c) (also road sign) 路标(標) (lùbiāo) (个(個), gè)
(c) (= gesture) (with hand etc) 手势(勢) (shǒushì)
⇒ the V-for-victory sign代表胜利的V字手势 (dàibiǎo shènglì de V zì shǒushì)