dotted line

American  

noun

• dotted lines
  plural

1. a line on a contract or similar document for a party's signature.

2. a line at which a sheet of paper is perforated or a piece of it is to be detached.

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idioms

1. sign on the dotted line, to agree fully to terms or conditions.

2. signature on the dotted line, full agreement to terms and conditions.

dotted line British  

noun

1. a line of dots or dashes on a form or document

2. to agree formally, esp by signing one's name on a document

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dotted lines
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dotted line

First recorded in 1770–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dotted line

Note: No positional data available for the dotted line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

That’s probably overegging the pudding — I’d be surprised if that many attendees signed on the dotted line — but in the end, it’s a numbers game.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

"And I think he doesn't view the industrial action that the union has taken as an invitation to negotiate, but rather as an ultimatum to sign a dotted line that he doesn't want to sign."

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2025

The singer got her way in court after a judge decided the evidence indicated the man, who founded 1-800-Flowers, was well enough to sign on the dotted line.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2025

The gold dotted line stops in front of the gates of a warm, well-lit estate with a curved wall and carved lions outside its doorway.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

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