Top Definitions
Synonyms
Quiz
Related Content
Examples
British
Medical
Scientific
Idioms And Phrases

sign

[ sahyn ]

/ saɪn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: sign / signed / signing / signs on Thesaurus.com

noun

a token; indication.

any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.

a conventional or arbitrary mark, figure, or symbol used as an abbreviation for the word or words it represents.

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.

a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view: a traffic sign; a store sign.

a trace; vestige: There wasn't a sign of them.

an arbitrary or conventional symbol used in musical notation to indicate tonality, tempo, etc.

Medicine/Medical. the objective indications of a disease.

any meaningful gestural unit belonging to a sign language.

an omen; portent: a sign of approaching decadence.

sign of the zodiac.

sign language (def. 1).

Usually signs. traces, as footprints, of a wild animal.

Mathematics.

a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating addition or subtraction.
a plus sign or minus sign used as a symbol for indicating the positive or negative value of a quantity, as an integer.
multiplication sign.
division sign.
a symbol, as  or !, used to indicate a radical or factorial operation.

verb (used with object)

to affix a signature to: to sign a letter.

to write as a signature: to sign one's name.

to engage by written agreement: to sign a new player.

to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross.

to communicate by means of a sign; signal: He signed his wish to leave.

to convey (a message) in a sign language.

Obsolete. to direct or appoint by a sign.

verb (used without object)

to write one's signature, as a token of agreement, obligation, receipt, etc.: to sign for a package.

to make a sign or signal: He signed to her to go away.

to employ a sign language for communication.

to obligate oneself by signature: He signed with another team for the next season.

Verb Phrases

sign away / over to assign or dispose of by affixing one's signature to a document: She signed over her fortune to the church.

sign in, to record or authorize one's arrival (or departure) by signing a register.Also sign out.

sign off,

to withdraw, as from some responsibility or connection.
to cease radio or television broadcasting, especially at the end of the day.
Informal. to become silent: He had exhausted conversation topics and signed off.
to indicate one's approval explicitly if not formally: The president is expected to sign off on the new agreement.

sign on,

to employ; hire.
to bind oneself to work, as by signing a contract: He signed on as a pitcher with a major-league team.
to start radio or television broadcasting, especially at the beginning of the day.
Computers. log¹ (def. 17a).

sign up, to enlist, as in an organization or group; to register or subscribe: to sign up for the navy; to sign up for class.

OTHER WORDS FOR sign

1 trace, hint, suggestion.

1, 4 signal.

10 indication, hint, augury.

See synonyms for sign on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR SIGN

Why Does The Word "Sign" Have So Many Meanings?

It's confusing because the word "sign" has so many meanings, which is why it can be added to lyrics to symbolize a lot of different things. So, what do some of our favorite singers mean when use the word "sign" in their music?

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sign

First recorded in 1175–1225; (noun) Middle English signe, from Old French, from Latin signum “mark, sign, ensign, signal, image”; (verb) Middle English signen “to mark with a sign, especially the sign of the cross,” from Old French signer, from Latin signāre “to mark with a sign, inscribe, affix a seal to,” derivative of signum

synonym study for sign

10. Sign, omen, portent name that which gives evidence of a future event. Sign is a general word for whatever gives evidence of an event—past, present, or future: Dark clouds are a sign of rain or snow. An omen is an augury or warning of things to come; it is used only of the future, in general, as good or bad: birds of evil omen. Portent, limited, like omen, to prophecy of the future, may be used of a specific event, usually a misfortune: portents of war.

OTHER WORDS FROM sign

signless, adjectivesignlike, adjectivepost·sign, verb (used with object)un·signed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sign

sign , sing

Words nearby sign

sigmoidostomy, sigmoidotomy, sigmoid sinus, sigmoid vein, Sigmund, sign, signa, signable, Signac, signage, signal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sign in a sentence

It’s the most precaution Valderruten has taken before a first date, and it’s a sign of how much the singles scene has changed in the past year.
What’s sexy in a pandemic? Caution.|Lisa Bonos|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
The fact that I was even thinking that was a sign of how you start doubting your whole reality.
Deepfake porn is ruining women’s lives. Now the law may finally ban it|Karen Hao|February 12, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The stormy pattern shows no signs of stopping, with four more chances for wintry precipitation over the next week.
Snow expected tonight, mainly south of D.C., before possible ice on Saturday|Jason Samenow, Wes Junker|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Senior aides to the impeachment managers’ team claim they are seeing signs that some Republicans may be wavering and might be convinced to vote for a conviction.
I was skeptical of Democrats pursuing a second impeachment. I was wrong.|Karen Tumulty|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

In a true sign that the Politico of 2021 is not the Politico of, say, 2008, the Playbook crew didn’t publish the story 30 seconds after asking for comment.
Politico loses scoop to People|Erik Wemple|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
They are always suspended over a precipice, dangling by a slender thread that shows every sign of snapping.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was hard not to take it as a sign, a personal comment on my own Jewish dating failings.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If he did, it could be a sign that our politicians are ready to resume genuine policy-making across party lines.
Christie Blames Parents for Bad Economy|Monica Potts|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Even then, most of us doubted he would show up and actually sign the papers allowing him to enter the 1992 New Hampshire primary.
President Cuomo Would’ve Been a Lion|Jonathan Alter|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Its continued presence in pulmonary tuberculosis is, however, a grave prognostic sign, even when the physical signs are slight.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Idly his pen traced upon the paper in front of him a large X, the sign of the unknown quantity.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Here they are seldom abundant, but their constant presence is the most reliable urinary sign of the disease.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Waxy casts are found in most advanced cases of nephritis, where they are an unfavorable sign.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Scouts reported that Porter still occupied his camp, and showed no sign of moving.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for sign

sign

/ (saɪn) /

noun

something that indicates or acts as a token of a fact, condition, etc, that is not immediately or outwardly observable

an action or gesture intended to convey information, a command, etc

a board, placard, etc, displayed in public and inscribed with words or designs intended to inform, warn, etc
(as modifier)a sign painter

an arbitrary or conventional mark or device that stands for a word, phrase, etc

maths logic

any symbol indicating an operationa plus sign; an implication sign
the positivity or negativity of a number, quantity, or expressionsubtraction from zero changes the sign of an expression

an indication or vestigethe house showed no signs of being occupied

a portentous or significant event

an indication, such as a scent or spoor, of the presence of an animal

med any objective evidence of the presence of a disease or disorderCompare symptom (def. 1)

astrology Compare sign of the zodiac

verb

to write (one's name) as a signature to (a document, etc) in attestation, confirmation, ratification, etc

(intr often foll by to) to make a sign; signal

to engage or be engaged by written agreement, as a player for a team, etc

(tr) to outline in gestures a sign over, esp the sign of the cross

(tr) to indicate by or as if by a sign; betoken

(intr) to use sign language

See also sign away, sign in, sign off, sign on, sign out, sign up

Derived forms of sign

signable, adjective

Word Origin for sign

C13: from Old French signe, from Latin signum a sign

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for sign

sign

[ sīn ]

n.

An objective finding, usually detected on physical examination, from a laboratory test, or on an x-ray, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for sign

sign

[ sīn ]

A body manifestation, usually detected on physical examination or through laboratory tests or xrays, that indicates the presence of abnormality or disease. Compare symptom.

See symbol. See Table at symbol.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with sign

sign

In addition to the idioms beginning with sign

sign in
sign off
sign on
sign one's own death warrant
sign on the dotted line
sign out
sign over
sign up

, see

high sign
show signs of

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.