sign
/saɪn/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A sign is a thing that gives information or tells people what to do. It can be a symbol, notice, or signal. It can also show that something exists or is happening.
- Look for the red sign.
- There was no sign of rain.
- His smile was a sign of relief.
verb
To sign means to write your name on something. It can also mean to use a hand gesture or to agree to a document.
- Please sign here.
- She signed the contract.
- He signed to me from across the room.
Adinary Nuance
Sign is broader than signal and more everyday than symbol. Use sign for notices, gestures, or clues you can notice directly. Use symbol for something that stands for an idea, and signal for a deliberate message or warning.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- dấu hiệu
- Spanish
- señal
- Chinese
- 标志
- Japanese
- 記号
- Korean
- 신호
Etymology
From Old French signe, from Latin signum meaning “mark” or “token.” It entered English in the Middle Ages and kept both the idea of a mark and a signal.
Common phrases
road signsign of troublesign a contractsign language
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between sign and symbol?
- A sign gives direct information. A symbol stands for an idea or group.
- Is sign a noun or a verb?
- It is both. As a noun, it means a mark or clue. As a verb, it means to write your name or use gestures.
- Is sign common in business English?
- Yes. You will often see it in phrases like sign a contract or sign the form.
- Can sign mean 'there is evidence'?
- Yes. We say there is a sign of something when something suggests it may be happening.