sign of the times
Americanidiom
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an event, action, etc., that reveals an important trend in the culture, economy, or environment.
I’m seeing a lot more cyclists on my commute—must be a sign of the times, or maybe just gas prices.
The people I talk to don’t see these layoffs as a reflection on the company, but rather a sign of the times.
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Christianity. an event that seems to fulfill prophecy, especially prophecy relating to the Judgment or the return of Jesus Christ.
In his book about life in the last days before the Second Coming, he lists many signs of the times apparent in our generation.
Etymology
Origin of sign of the times
First recorded in 1520–30
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’m not willing to say it’s a sign of the times, but I’m close to saying it’s a sign of the times.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Instead, in a sign of the times that seems impossibly quaint in the harsh light of 2026, she issued a somber mea culpa.
From Slate • May 6, 2026
In a sign of the times, Reid said much of the heavy lifting that went into creating this chart was handled by ChatGPT — OpenAI’s chatbot that kicked off the AI race three years ago.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025
Disturbing, to be sure, and a grim sign of the times.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024
From seminary to corrections academy: a sign of the times.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
