signet
Americannoun
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a small seal, as on a finger ring.
-
a small official seal for legal documents, contracts, etc.
-
an impression made by or as if by a signet.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a small seal, esp one as part of a finger ring
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a seal used to stamp or authenticate documents
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the impression made by such a seal
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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signetsimple
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signetssimple
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have signetedperfect
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has signetedperfect
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am signetingprogressive
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are signetingprogressive
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is signetingprogressive
-
have been signetingperfect progressive
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has been signetingperfect progressive
Past
-
signetedsimple
-
had signetedperfect
-
was signetingprogressive
-
were signetingprogressive
-
had been signetingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of signet
1300–50; Middle English < Old French ( see sign, -et); compare Medieval Latin signētum
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.
The pair seem to have closely bonded while filming, and even have matching signet rings - although some have dismissed their closeness as a marketing stunt.
From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026
Are you wearing a martini glass signet ring?
From Salon • May 1, 2025
The colorful intaglios — gems with incised carvings — likely fell out of signet rings worn by wealthy third-century bathers, and ended up trapped in the stone drains.
From New York Times • May 1, 2023
He proudly wore the family crest on a signet ring, but he was also mindful that his father had been accused of collaboration with the Nazis and his mother was “a former American exotic dancer.”
From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2022
Her small right hand with the signet ring on the middle finger was stuck out too, but it made no move toward Aron’s hand.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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.
